Berberine hydrochloride inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer via the suppression of the MMP2 and Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways

  • Authors:
    • Jie Li
    • Fang Liu
    • Shulong Jiang
    • Jie Liu
    • Xiuhong Chen
    • Shangnuan Zhang
    • Haibo Zhao
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 13, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.8249
  • Pages: 7409-7414
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Berberine, also known as berberine hydrochloride and isoquinoline alkaloid, is a major alkaloid from Coptis chinensis. Berberine's extensive biological properties have previously been studied, and it has been used clinically for the treatment of diarrhea, hypertension, diabetes and other diseases. The present study aimed to determine the possible anticancer effects of berberine hydrochloride treatment on human non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell proliferation and apoptosis via the matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‑2) and the B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2)/Bcl‑2‑associated X protein (Bax) signaling pathway. Human A549 lung carcinoma cells were exposed to various concentrations of berberine hydrochloride in order to analyze the possible anticancer effects on NSCLC cell proliferation and apoptosis, using a MTT assay and an Annexin V‑fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide apoptosis kit. Subsequently, the present study detected the expression of MMP‑2, Bcl‑2, Bax and Janus kinase 2 (Jak2). Berberine hydrochloride treatment inhibited the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nuclear factor κB (NF‑κB) and transcription factor AP‑1 (AP‑1) proteins, in A549 cells. Firstly, it was revealed that berberine hydrochloride treatment may inhibit proliferation, increase cytotoxicity and enhance apoptosis in A549 cells. Subsequently, treatment with berberine hydrochloride significantly downregulated MMP‑2 protein expression, increased the activity of the Bcl‑2/Bax signaling pathway and suppressed the Jak2/VEGF/NF‑κB/AP‑1signaling pathways. These results suggest that berberine hydrochloride may be a potential novel anticancer drug, since it inhibits cell proliferation and promotes the rate of apoptosis of NSCLC cells by the suppression of the MMP‑2, Bcl-2/Bax and Jak2/VEGF/NF‑κB/AP‑1 signaling pathways.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

May-2018
Volume 15 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Li J, Liu F, Jiang S, Liu J, Chen X, Zhang S and Zhao H: Berberine hydrochloride inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer via the suppression of the MMP2 and Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways. Oncol Lett 15: 7409-7414, 2018
APA
Li, J., Liu, F., Jiang, S., Liu, J., Chen, X., Zhang, S., & Zhao, H. (2018). Berberine hydrochloride inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer via the suppression of the MMP2 and Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways. Oncology Letters, 15, 7409-7414. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.8249
MLA
Li, J., Liu, F., Jiang, S., Liu, J., Chen, X., Zhang, S., Zhao, H."Berberine hydrochloride inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer via the suppression of the MMP2 and Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways". Oncology Letters 15.5 (2018): 7409-7414.
Chicago
Li, J., Liu, F., Jiang, S., Liu, J., Chen, X., Zhang, S., Zhao, H."Berberine hydrochloride inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer via the suppression of the MMP2 and Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways". Oncology Letters 15, no. 5 (2018): 7409-7414. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.8249