Cinnamaldehyde affects the biological behavior of human colorectal cancer cells and induces apoptosis via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Jiepin Li
    • Yuhao Teng
    • Shenlin Liu
    • Zifan Wang
    • Yan Chen
    • Yingying Zhang
    • Songyang Xi
    • Song Xu
    • Ruiping Wang
    • Xi Zou
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 17, 2015     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2015.4493
  • Pages: 1501-1510
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Abstract

Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a bioactive compound isolated from the stem bark of Cinnamomum cassia, that has been identified as an antiproliferative substance with pro-apoptotic effects on various cancer cell lines in vitro. In the present study, the effects of CA on human colon cancer cells were investigated at both the molecular and cellular levels. Three types of colorectal cancer cells at various stages of differentiation and invasive ability (SW480, HCT116 and LoVo) were treated with CA at final concentrations of 20, 40 and 80 µg/ml for 24 h. Compared with the control group, the proliferation inhibition rate of the human colorectal cancer cells following treatment with CA increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The invasion and adhesion abilities of the cells were significantly inhibited as indicated by Transwell and cell-matrix adhesion assays. Meanwhile, CA also upregulated the expression of E-cadherin and downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. CA also elevated the apoptotic rate. The levels of pro-apoptotic genes were upregulated while the levels of apoptosis inhibitory genes were decreased which further confirmed the pro-apoptotic effect of CA. In order to explore the mechanism of CA-induced apoptosis, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) were used to regulate the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway. The transcription activity of PI3K/AKT was markedly inhibited by CA, as well as IGF-1 which functions as an anti-apoptotic factor. In conclusion, CA has the potential to be developed as a new antitumor drug. The mechanisms of action involve the regulation of expression of genes involved in apoptosis, invasion and adhesion via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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March-2016
Volume 35 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Li J, Teng Y, Liu S, Wang Z, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Xi S, Xu S, Wang R, Zou X, Zou X, et al: Cinnamaldehyde affects the biological behavior of human colorectal cancer cells and induces apoptosis via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Oncol Rep 35: 1501-1510, 2016
APA
Li, J., Teng, Y., Liu, S., Wang, Z., Chen, Y., Zhang, Y. ... Zou, X. (2016). Cinnamaldehyde affects the biological behavior of human colorectal cancer cells and induces apoptosis via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Oncology Reports, 35, 1501-1510. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2015.4493
MLA
Li, J., Teng, Y., Liu, S., Wang, Z., Chen, Y., Zhang, Y., Xi, S., Xu, S., Wang, R., Zou, X."Cinnamaldehyde affects the biological behavior of human colorectal cancer cells and induces apoptosis via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway". Oncology Reports 35.3 (2016): 1501-1510.
Chicago
Li, J., Teng, Y., Liu, S., Wang, Z., Chen, Y., Zhang, Y., Xi, S., Xu, S., Wang, R., Zou, X."Cinnamaldehyde affects the biological behavior of human colorectal cancer cells and induces apoptosis via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway". Oncology Reports 35, no. 3 (2016): 1501-1510. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2015.4493