A novel matrine derivative WM622 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most common lethal cancers of the digestive system with poor prognosis rates and ineffective therapeutic options. Matrine, a traditional Chinese medicine found in the roots of sophora species, has been used in the clinical treatment of liver fibrosis, chronic hepatitis B and other diseases. We have synthesized a matrine derivatives named WM622 (C26H35ON3S2) with a significant inhibitory effect on transplanted tumors in vivo. The half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of WM622 is 34 mu M, which is much lower than matrine. WM622 inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells significantly, and the cell cycle was blocked in G0/G1 phase. The protein phosphorylation levels of EGFR, AKT, PI3K and GSK3 beta (p-EGFR, p-AKT, p-PI3K, and p-GSK3 beta) were also decreased by WM622 treatment dose dependently. In tumor-bearing mice, WM622 could reduce the tumor volumes. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that WM622 could inhibit the proliferation of the hepatocellular carcinoma both in vivo and in vitro by inducing apoptosis, blocking cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signal pathways.