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Bergenin suppresses the growth of colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway


Xucan Gao
Yazhu Wang
Jianzhuo Zhang
Lifen Lin
Qi Yao
Guoan Xiang

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate anticancer effects of bergenin on human colorectal cancer cell lines.
Methods: Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HCT116 was treated with various concentrations of bergenin for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were analyzed by MTT, flow cytometry and fluorescent dye assays, respectively. DNA damage-associated protein expressions were analyzed by Western blotting.
Results: Bergenin significantly suppressed the viability of HCT116 cells. Moreover, bergenin induced cells to accumulate in G1 phase and resulted in DNA breaks in HCT116 cells. It also led to marked accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), a breaker of DNA strand in HCT116 cells. Interestingly, bergenin inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Conclusion: Bergenin effectively suppresses the growth of colorectal  adenocarcinoma by inducing generation of intracellular ROS, DNA damage and consequent G1 phase arrest via inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Keywords: Bergenin, Colorectal cancer, DNA damage, Cell cycle arrest,  PI3K/AKT/mTOR


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996