Bruceine D induces lung cancer cell apoptosis and autophagy via the ROS/MAPK signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Feb 18;11(2):126. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2317-3.

Abstract

Worldwide, lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality. Bruceine D (BD) has been shown to induce pancreatic cancer cell death via several different mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrated that BD inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation. Apoptosis and autophagy were the most important mechanisms involved in BD-induced lung cancer cell death, and complete autophagic flux was observed in A549 and NCI-H292 cells. In addition, BD significantly improved intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. BD-mediated cell apoptosis and autophagy were almost inhibited in cells pretreated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger. Furthermore, MAPK signaling pathway activation contributed to BD-induced cell proliferation inhibition and NAC could eliminate p-ERK and p-JNK upregulation. Finally, an in vivo study indicated that BD inhibited the growth of lung cancer xenografts. Overall, BD is a promising candidate for the treatment of lung cancer owing to its multiple mechanisms and low toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Phosphorylation
  • Quassins / pharmacology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Tumor Burden / drug effects
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Quassins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • bruceine D
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases