Mechanism of Curcuma phaeocaulis Extracts on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Gallbladder Cancer Cells via mTOR/p70S6K Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Background Curcuma phaeocaulis (CP) is utilized as a Chinese herbal medicine to treat abdominal distension and other related ailments. Curcuma phaeocaulis extracts (CPE) are rich in active components and exhibit anti-tumor properties. Purpose Purpose: This work was to assess the impact of CPE on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gallbladder cancer cells (GCC), aiming to investigate its potential underlying mechanisms of action. Methods CP was utilized as the raw material to prepare CPE volatile oil via drying and heating processes. Total phenolic content analysis was conducted, assessing its scavenging capacity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and •OH free radicals, as well as its inhibitory effects on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Human GCC line GBC-SD was selected, cultured conventionally as a control, and treated with CP volatile oil at concentrations of 25 µg/mL (Low-CPE group), 50 µg/mL (Middle-CPE group), and 100 µg/mL (High-CPE group). Cell proliferation activity was evaluated using MTT assay, apoptosis rate was assessed via flow cytometry, migration, and invasion were measured using the Transwell chamber assay, and Western blot was performed to assess proteins in the mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway. Results The total phenolic content in the volatile oil prepared from warm CPE was approximately 30.9 mg/g, consisting of over 20 active constituents. The warm CP volatile oil exhibited scavenging rates of 85.3% for DPPH• radicals and 91.5% for •OH radicals, with minimum inhibitory concentrations against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa at 4.0 mg/mL, 8.0 mg/mL, and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. Relative to the Ctrl group, Low-CPE, Middle-CPE, and High-CPE groups demonstrated decreased cell proliferation activity, increased apoptosis rates, reduced cell migration and invasion, decreased phosphorylation levels of mTOR and p70S6K proteins ( p < 0.05), exhibiting concentration-dependent characteristics. Conclusion The volatile oil derived from warm CPE exhibited robust anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activities. The warm CP volatile oil effectively inhibited GCC proliferation, migration, and invasion by suppressing the activation of the mTOR/p70S6K signaling, while promoting apoptosis.