fi -eudesmol inhibits cell proliferation and induces ferroptosis via regulating MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer

The aim of this study was to explore the influences and underlying mechanisms of fi-eudesmol on breast cancer (BC). Different concentrations of fi-eudesmol (0, 10, 20, and 40 mu M) were taken to treat BC cells. Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate the influences of fi-eudesmol on cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis. To assess the influences of fi-eudesmol on cell ferroptosis, the change of ROS, SOD, MDA, and intracellular iron and Fe2+ were determined. The protein changes of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and MAPK pathway (Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, SLC7A11, GPX4, SLC40A1, Transferrin, MEK1, and ERK1/2) were checked utilizing Western blot. In a concentration-dependent manner, fi-eudesmol restrained cell viability and proliferation. fi-eudesmol promoted cell apoptosis, as evidenced by the decline level of Bcl-2 and the raised level of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. fi-eudesmol enhanced the level of ROS, MDA, iron, Fe2+, and Transferrin, and lessened SOD activity and the protein expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, SLC40A1, MEK1, and ERK1/2. Moreover, ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 and MEK1 overexpression both reversed the changes on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and ferroptosis induced by fi-eudesmol. fi-eudesmol inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis and ferroptosis via regulating MAPK pathway in BC.