Berberine induces mitochondrial‑mediated apoptosis and protective autophagy in human malignant pleural mesothelioma NCI‑H2452 cells

Yao,Zhouhong; Wan,Yunyan; Li,Bin; Zhai,Congcong; Yao,Fei; Kang,Yanmeng; Liu,Qinghua; Lin,Dianjie

doi:10.3892/or.2018.6757

Berberine induces mitochondrial‑mediated apoptosis and protective autophagy in human malignant pleural mesothelioma NCI‑H2452 cells

Authors:
- Zhouhong Yao
- Yunyan Wan
- Bin Li
- Congcong Zhai
- Fei Yao
- Yanmeng Kang
- Qinghua Liu
- Dianjie Lin
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Affiliations: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China, Department of Health Care of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
Published online on: October 1, 2018 https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2018.6757
Pages: 3603-3610

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Abstract

Increasing evidence shows that berberine has antitumor effects against a number of tumor cells. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of berberine on the proliferation of the human malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cell line NCI‑H2452, and explored the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of this agent. Our results showed that berberine inhibited the proliferation of NCI‑H2452 cells in a dose‑ and time‑dependent manner and could induce apoptosis, possibly through a caspase‑9‑dependent intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. In addition, autophagy was induced by berberine, which was characterized by the accumulation of LC3‑II and decreased p62 expression. We used inhibitors of apoptosis and autophagy, and an inducer of autophagy, to evaluate the significance of autophagy in berberine‑induced cell death. The results demonstrated that apoptosis is the primary route through which berberine induces NCI‑H2452 cell death. Berberine‑induced autophagy may be an adaptive response to antitumor agents and have a protective role in MPM cells. Inhibition of autophagy enhanced berberine‑induced apoptosis. Therefore, inhibition of autophagy may be an effective treatment strategy in the management of MPM. In conclusion, berberine is a potent antitumor agent for treating MPM, and it induces mitochondrial‑mediated apoptosis and protective autophagy in human NCI‑H2452 MPM cells.

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