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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular medicine 2015-12, Vol.36 (6), p.1601-1606
Main Authors: HONG, DARONG, JANG, SOON YOUNG, JANG, EUN HYANG, JUNG, BOM, CHO, IN-HYE, PARK, MIN-JU, JEONG, SEO YOUNG, KIM, JONG-HO
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breast cancer
Cell adhesion & migration
Cell growth
Development and progression
epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Gene expression
Genetic aspects
Health aspects
Immunoglobulins
invasion
Kinases
Medical prognosis
Metastasis
migration
NF-κB-Snail signaling pathway
Plant products
Proteins
Quinone
Rodents
shikonin
Tumors
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1107-3756
1791-244X
DOI:10.3892/ijmm.2015.2373