Peiminine regulates the biological characteristics of colorectal cancer cells via P13K/Akt/mTOR and oxidative stress pathways

Purpose: To investigate the influence of peiminine on biological characteristics of colorectal cancer cells, and the underlying mechanism. Methods: Two groups of cultured human colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells were used: peiminine and control groups. Peiminine group cells were exposed to the drug at a final concentration of 100 mu mol/L. The effect of peiminine on cell proliferation was determined with CCK-8 method, while its effect on apoptosis was determined with flow cytometric method. Cell migration was determined with scratch test. The effect of peiminine on the expressions of proteins associated with the P13K/Akt/mTOR pathway and Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in HCT-116 cells was determined with Western blotting assay. Results: Cell proliferation was markedly reduced in the peiminine group, relative to control (p < 0.05). There was higher percentage cell apoptosis in peiminine-treated cells than in control. Moreover, cell migration potential was significantly lower in the peiminine-treated cells. There were significantly down regulated levels of p-P13K, p-Akt and p-mTOR expressions in peiminine group, relative to the corresponding control expressions (p < 0.05). However, there were significantly higher relative expression of Wnt in peiminine group than in control cells, but beta-catenin level was reduced, relative to the corresponding control level (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These data indicate that peiminine suppresses the proliferative, apoptotic and migratory potential of colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells via regulation of P13K/Akt/mTOR and oxidative stress pathways.