title: Essential oil of Pinus koraiensis inhibits cell proliferation and migration via inhibition of p21-activated kinase 1 pathway in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The essential oil of Pinus koraiensis (EOPK) is biologically active compound obtained from the leaves of P. koraiensis. The goal of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer mechanism of EOPK in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  HCT116 cell proliferation was assessed by conducting crystal violet and BrdU assays. To assess the effects of EOPK on cell migration, we performed a wound-healing assay. Further, the contribution of PAK1 to EOPK-induced AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) suppression was assessed by siRNA-mediated PAK1 knockdown. Changes to the expression and phosphorylation of PAK1 and its effectors were determined by western blotting, and changes to the actin cytoskeleton were determined by performing an immunofluorescence assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EOPK significantly decreased HCT116 cell proliferation and migration, and induced G1 arrest without affecting normal cells. Additionally, EOPK suppressed the expression of PAK1, and decreased ERK and AKT phosphorylation in HCT116 cells. Finally, EOPK suppressed β-catenin, cyclin D1, and CDK4/6 expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our studies indicate that EOPK significantly reduced proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells. Furthermore, EOPK suppressed PAK1 expression in a dose-dependent manner, and this suppression of PAK1 led to inhibition of ERK, AKT, and β-catenin activities. Our findings suggest that EOPK exerts its anticancer activity via the inhibition of PAK1 expression, suggesting it may be a potent chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer.
authors: Sun-Mi
authors: SM
authors: Cho
authors: Eun-Ok
authors: EO
authors: Lee
authors: Sung-Hoon
authors: SH
authors: Kim
authors: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, 130-701 Seoul, Republic of Korea. strong79@khu.ac.kr.
authors: Hyo-Jeong
authors: HJ
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D054462:p21-Activated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D054462:p21-Activated Kinases