Zhenzhu Xiaoji Decoction Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis Cell Death in Liver Cancer Cells through AKT/mTOR and JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway. (6th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Yang; Sun, Yue; Li, Songzhe; Tao, Xuelian; Cai, Lingyun
• Other Names: Rather Manzoor A. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 2022(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04-06
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1155/2022/4445293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-427X

Abstract

Abstract : Background . Liver cancer is one of the most common digestive tumors. The prescription Zhenzhu Xiaoji decoction (ZZXJD) has a certain effect on the growth and survival of primary liver cancer. Object : This article aimed to explore the effect and molecular mechanism of ZZXJD on liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells. Method . The research groups were divided into the model group, ZZXJD group, and cisplatin group. SMMC-7721 cells were treated with different concentrations of ZZXJD-medicated serum for 24 h and 48 h. The cell viability was measured with CCK8 assay, and cell morphology was observed by fluorescence microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Western blot, RT-PCR, and gene chip were used to determine the protein expression level and gene expression level of cells and tumor tissues. Results . ZZXJD inhibited the proliferation activity of SMMC-7721 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The morphological changes of the cell showed apoptosis and autophagy. The gene expression of protein kinase B (AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) were downregulated compared with the model groupp < 0.05 . The nude mice experiments confirmed that ZZXJD inhibited the growth of tumors in tumor-bearing mice, and the effect increased with the increase of concentration. Conclusion . ZZXJD induced autophagy and apoptosis of liver cancer cells via inhibiting AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby affecting the growth and survival of liver cancer cells.