Shikonin inhibits the cell viability, adhesion, invasion and migration of the human gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 via the Toll-like receptor 2/nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. (16th April 2015) - Liu, Ji Ping
Abstract: Objectives: Shikonin is an active naphthoquinone pigment isolated from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon . This study was designed to explore the inhibition of Shikonin on cell viability, adhesion, migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer (GC) and its possible mechanism. Methods: 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed for cell viability and adhesion ability of MGC-803 cells. Cell scratch repair experiments were conducted for the determination of migration ability while transwell assay for cell invasion ability. Western blot analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction assay were used for the detection of protein and mRNA expressions. Key findings: Fifty per cent inhibitory concentration of Shikonin on MGC-803 cells was 1.854 μm . Shikonin (1 μm ) inhibited significantly the adhesion, invasion and migratory ability of MGC-803 cells. Interestingly, Shikonin in the presence or absence of anti-Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) antibody (2 μg) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor MG-132 (10 μm ) could decrease these ability of MGC-803 cells markedly, as well as the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-7, TLR2 and p65 NF-κB. In addition, the co-incubation of Shikonin and anti-TLR2/MG-132 has a significant stronger activity than anti-TLR2 or MG-132 alone. Conclusions: The results indicated that Shikonin could suppress the cell viability, adhesion, invasion and migratory ability of MGC-803 cells through TLR2- or NF-κB-mediated pathway. Our findings provide novel information for the treatment of Shikonin on GC.