Norcantharidin induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of glioma cells by blocking the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway

Abstract

BackgroundMalignant gliomas represent the most common primary brain tumors. The prognosis of patients with malignant gliomas is poor in spite of current intensive therapy and novel therapeutic modalities are needed. Here we report that norcantharidin is effective in growth inhibition of glioma cell lines in vitro.MethodsGlioma cell lines (U87 and C6) were treated with norcantharidin. The effects of norcantharidin on the proliferation and apoptosis of glioma cells were measured by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-thiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Western blotting was employed to determine the signaling pathway changes.ResultsThe results showed that norcantharidin effectively inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in glioma cells, which was concurrent with inhibition of the expression of phospho-MEK and phospho-ERK. Furthermore, the expression anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 significantly reduced, but no changes in Bcl-xL and Bax.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that norcantharidin is effective for growth inhibition of glioma cell lines and suggest that norcantharidin may be a new therapeutic option for patients with glioma.

Norcantharidin induce apoptosis in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma through caspase and mitochondrial pathway

“…In our study, while no significant change of Bax was noted, previous studies have shown that increased expression of Bax was noted in the NCTD‐induced HepG2 apoptosis . However, NCTD–treated glioma cells had nearly no effect on expression of the Bcl‐xL or Bax . These results pointed out that the expression of Bcl‐2 family in NCTD‐induced apoptosis is cell‐specific.…”

“…NCTD is the demethylated analog of cantharidin, which is isolated from blister beetles ( Mylabris phalerata Pall). Currently, studies in vitro and in vivo pointed out that NCTD was cytotoxic to several tumor cells . Previous study shown that mitochondrial pathways is critical in NCTD induced apoptosis in the HeLa human cervical cancer cell lines .…”

“…Currently, studies in vitro and in vivo pointed out that NCTD was cytotoxic to several tumor cells. [7][8][9]11,12 Previous study shown that mitochondrial pathways is critical in NCTD induced apoptosis in the HeLa human cervical cancer cell lines. 9 However, the effects of NCTD on human NPC cells are still unknown.…”

FAM46C is critical for the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptotic effects of norcantharidin in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

“…Previous studies indicated that NCTD may exert its functions by regulating MAPKs signaling pathways in other cancer cells 10,12,14 . Here, we found that FAM46C expression was enhanced by NCTD treatment.…”

Inhibition of human glioma cell proliferation by altered Bax/Bcl-2-p53 expression and apoptosis induction by Rhaponticum carthamoides extracts from transformed and normal roots

“…Gliomas represent the most aggressive and the most common primary central nervous system tumours and are related with very poor survival . Surgical resection with temozolomide‐based chemotherapy and radiotherapy has become the norm of treatment in gliomas . In recent years is a growing interest in medicinal plants due to their bioactive substances.…”