Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Demethoxycurcumin inhibits the growth of human lung cancer cells by targeting of PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signalling pathway, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell migration and invasion

Yunlong Chen^1,2, Mianhua Wu¹

¹First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210023; ²Department of Oncology, Rudong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province 226400, China.

For correspondence:- Mianhua Wu Email: fajizo@163.com Tel:+862586798167

Accepted: 19 March 2021 Published: 30 April 2021

Citation: Chen Y, Wu M. Demethoxycurcumin inhibits the growth of human lung cancer cells by targeting of PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signalling pathway, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell migration and invasion. Trop J Pharm Res 2021; 20(4):687-693 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v20i4.4

© 2021 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To determine the antitumor effect of demethoxycurcumin on lung cancer cells, as well as its effect on PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signalling, cellular apoptosis, cell migration and cell invasion.

Methods: Cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while AO/EB and annexin V/PI staining assays were used for apoptosis analysis in demethoxycurcumin-treated A-549 lung cancer cells. Transwell chamber assay was used to determine the effect of demethoxycurcumin on migration and invasion of A-549 cells. The expression levels of PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signalling and apoptosis-associated proteins in A-549 cells post-demethoxycurcumin treatment were determined by Western blotting assay.

Results: Demethoxycurcumin markedly inhibited the proliferation of A-549 cells in a dose- and time-reliant fashion. The antiproliferative effect of demethoxycurcumin occurred via stimulation of apoptosis. The expression levels of Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 increased significantly, while Bcl-2 was significantly decreased in A-549 cells post-demethoxycurcumin treatment. Demethoxycurcumin substantially inhibited migration and invasion of A-549 cells, and blocked PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signalling pathway in these cells.

Conclusion: Demethoxycurcumin induces anticancer effects on A-549 cells via targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway. It induces cellular apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion of A-549 cells. Thus, it is a promising anti-lung cancer agent.

Keywords: Lung cancer, Demethoxycurcumin, Apoptosis, Cell migration, Cell invasion