Abstract
IntroductionBreast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women, with a high mortality rate.ObjectiveIn the present study, we evaluated the anticancer effect of nobiletin, a flavone glycoside, on the breast cancer cell line MCF-7.ResultCell viability and proliferation decreased and cell morphology changed from diamond to round after being treated with nobiletin. Nobiletin induced apoptosis of breast cancer MCF-7 cells via regulating the protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and p53. The expression of Bcl-2 decreased, while the expression of Bax and p53 increased in MCF-7 cells treated with nobiletin. Meanwhile, nobiletin inhibited cell migration by downregulating the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Moreover, phosphorylation of p38 was increased, and the translocation of p65 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to the nucleus was decreased, which suggested that the anticancer effects of nobiletin might at least partially rely on mediating the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear transcription factor-κB, and Nrf2 pathways in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.Conclusion and recommendationOur data showed that nobiletin was a potential antitumor drug, and it provided some experimental basis for the clinical application of tumor therapy.
Highlights
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women, with a high mortality rate
The primary antibodies for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), p-p38, p38, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), Bax, Bcl-2, p53, caspase-3, anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), β-actin and all secondary antibodies were purchased from Cell Signaling Technology (Boston, MA, USA)
Effect of nobiletin on cell morphology in MCF-7 cells Through a microscope, the cells were in good condition and adhered firmly in the control group, while morphological changes were observed in the treated groups
Summary
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women, with a high mortality rate. Objective: In the present study, we evaluated the anticancer effect of nobiletin, a flavone glycoside, on the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Nobiletin induced apoptosis of breast cancer MCF-7 cells via regulating the protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and p53. The expression of Bcl-2 decreased, while the expression of Bax and p53 increased in MCF-7 cells treated with nobiletin. Nobiletin inhibited cell migration by downregulating the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Phosphorylation of p38 was increased, and the translocation of p65 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to the nucleus was decreased, which suggested that the anticancer effects of nobiletin might at least partially rely on mediating the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear transcription factor-κB, and Nrf pathways in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Conclusion and recommendation: Our data showed that nobiletin was a potential antitumor drug, and it provided some experimental basis for the clinical application of tumor therapy
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