Magnolol suppresses the proliferation and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cells via inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway

Background: Magnolol has shown the potential anticancer properties against a variety of cancers. However, the role of magnolol in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells is unknown. In this study, we assessed the effect of magnolol on the CCA cells. Methods: CCA cells were treated with magnolol in the absence or presence of TNF alpha, the activator for NF-kappa B. After co-incubation with magnolol, cell proliferation and growth were examined by MTT, colony formation and xenograft tumors; cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry; cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and transwell assays; the expression of PCNA, Ki67, CyclinD1, MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9 and NF-kappa B pathway were evaluated by using Western blot. Results: Magnolol inhibited the abilities of CCA cell growth, migration and invasion accompanying with a decreased expression of PCNA, Ki67, MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9 (all P < 0.05). Treatment: with magnolol induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase with a downregulation of cell cycle protein CyclinD1 (all P < 0.05). In addition, magnolol suppressed the expression of p-I kappa B alpha and p-P65 and the effect of magnolol on CCA cells could be inhibited by TNF alpha. Conclusions: Magnolol could inhibit the growth, migration and invasion of CCA cells through regulation of NF-kappa B pathway, and these data indicate that magnolol is a potential candidate for treating of CCA. (C) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.