title: Effects of paeonol on intracellular calcium concentration and expression of RUNX3 in LoVo human colon cancer cells.
abstract: Paeonol, a major phenolic component of the root bark of Paeonia moutan, is known to exhibit antitumor effects. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, the effects of paeonol on cell viability, intracellular calcium concentration and the expression of runt‑related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) were analyzed in LoVo human colon cancer cells. Results revealed that paeonol markedly reduced LoVo cell viability in a time‑ and dose‑dependent manner. Flow cytometry assays demonstrated that paeonol blocked the cell cycle at the G1 to S transition and significantly induced apoptosis in LoVo cells. Intracellular calcium accumulation occurred following a 48 h treatment with paeonol. Furthermore, RUNX3 gene expression was increased in paeonol‑treated cells. These observations indicate that paeonol possesses antiproliferative properties and apoptosis‑inducing activity. One of the antitumor mechanisms of paeonol may be its apoptosis‑inducing activity through an increased intracellular calcium concentration and the upregulation of RUNX3 expression. Paeonol may be a promising antitumor agent for colon carcinoma treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, PR China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shi-Yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong-Xia
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: You
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D016193:G1 Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016196:S Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit; C493729:Runx3 protein, human; C013638:paeonol; D002118:Calcium