Piperine suppresses the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and has anti-cancer effects on colorectal cancer cells

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 15;10(1):11681. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-68574-2.

Abstract

More than 94% of colorectal cancer cases have mutations in one or more Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway components. Inactivating mutations in APC or activating mutations in β-catenin (CTNNB1) lead to signaling overactivation and subsequent intestinal hyperplasia. Numerous classes of medicines derived from synthetic or natural small molecules, including alkaloids, have benefited the treatment of different diseases, including cancer, Piperine is a true alkaloid, derived from lysine, responsible for the spicy taste of black pepper (Piper nigrum) and long pepper (Piper longum). Studies have shown that piperine has a wide range of pharmacological properties; however, piperine molecular mechanisms of action are still not fully understood. By using Wnt/β-catenin pathway epistasis experiment we show that piperine inhibits the canonical Wnt pathway induced by overexpression of β-catenin, β-catenin S33A or dnTCF4 VP16, while also suppressing β-catenin nuclear localization in HCT116 cell line. Additionally, piperine impairs cell proliferation and migration in HCT116, SW480 and DLD-1 colorectal tumor cell lines, while not affecting the non-tumoral cell line IEC-6. In summary, piperine inhibits the canonical Wnt signaling pathway and displays anti-cancer effects on colorectal cancer cell lines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Benzodioxoles / isolation & purification
  • Benzodioxoles / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Piper nigrum / chemistry
  • Piperidines / isolation & purification
  • Piperidines / pharmacology*
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides / isolation & purification
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides / pharmacology*
  • TCF Transcription Factors / genetics
  • TCF Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics
  • Wnt3A Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Wnt3A Protein / genetics
  • Wnt3A Protein / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Benzodioxoles
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Piperidines
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • TCF Transcription Factors
  • WNT3A protein, human
  • Wnt3A Protein
  • beta Catenin
  • piperine