Shikonin as an inhibitor of the LPS-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human breast cancer cells.
Shikonin (SK), a natural naphthoquinone isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb, has been known to suppress the proliferation of several cancer cells. However, its role in the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) has yet to be demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of SK on EMT. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced EMT-like phenotypic changes, enhancing cell migration and invasion. SK markedly reduced the expression of the LPS-induced EMT markers, including N-cadherin in MDA-MB‑231 cells, and increased the expression of E-cadherin in MCF-7 cells. SK also inhibited cell migration and invasion in vitro. The effects of SK on the LPS-induced EMT were mediated by the inactivation of the NF-κB-Snail signaling pathway. The results provided new evidence that SK suppresses breast cancer cell invasion and migration by inhibiting the EMT. Therefore, SK is a potentially effective anticancer agent for breast tumors, by inhibiting metastasis.
Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Darong
D
Hong
Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Soon Young
SY
Jang
Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Eun Hyang
EH
Jang
Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Bom
B
Jung
Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
In-Hye
IH
Cho
Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Min-Ju
MJ
Park
Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Seo Young
SY
Jeong
Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Jong-Ho
JH
Kim
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015820:Cadherins; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D014157:Transcription Factors; C016101:shikonin