Berberine targets epidermal growth factor receptor signaling to suppress prostate cancer proliferation in vitro.
Berberine is a well‑known component of the Chinese herbal medicine Huanglian (Coptis chinensis), and is capable of inhibiting the proliferation of multiple cancer cell lines. However, information available regarding the effect of berberine on prostate cancer cell growth is limited. In the present study, LnCaP and PC‑3 human prostate cancer cell lines were selected as in vitro models in order to assess the efficacy of berberine as an anticancer agent. A cell proliferation assay demonstrated that berberine inhibited cell growth in a dose‑and time‑dependent manner. Further investigation revealed berberine significantly accumulated inside cells that were in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and enhanced apoptosis. Western blot analysis demonstrated that berberine inhibited the expression of prostate‑specific antigen and the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and it attenuated EGFR activation following EGF treatment in vitro. In conclusion, the results indicate that berberine inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer cells through apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest by inactivation of the EGFR signaling pathway.
Department of Urological Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215300, P.R. China.
Zheng-Hua
ZH
Huang
Department of Urological Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215300, P.R. China.
Hong-Fang
HF
Zheng
Department of Urological Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215300, P.R. China.
Wei-Lu
WL
Wang
Department of Urological Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215300, P.R. China.
Yong
Y
Wang
Department of Urological Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215300, P.R. China.
Long-Fei
LF
Zhong
Department of Urological Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215300, P.R. China.
Jiu-Long
JL
Wu
Department of Urological Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215300, P.R. China.
Qiao-Xing
QX
Li
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D001599:Berberine; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen