Matrine induces apoptosis and autophagy in human lung adenocarcinoma cells via upregulation of Cavin3 and suppression of PI3K/AKT pathway

Purpose: Lung adenocarcinoma is one of the leading causes of mortality and its treatment is limited by the unavailability of effective chemotherapeutic agents. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the Anticancer effects of Matrine against the human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods: CCK-8 assay was used to determine cell viability. Acridine orange (AO)/ ethidium bromide (EB) staining was used for the assessment of Apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis was employed for the detection of Autophagy. Western blotting was used for the determination of protein expression.

Results: The results showed Matrine inhibited the proliferation of the human A549 adenocarcinoma cell line with little effects on the normal MRC5 cells. Investigation of the underlying mechanisms showed that Matrine induced Apoptosis in A549 cells. Matrine-induced Apoptosis was linked with upregulation of Bax and suppression of Bcl-2. TEM analysis showed that matrine led to development of autophagosomes in A549 cells, suggestive of Autophagy. The Autophagy induced by Matrine was also accompanied by upregulation of LC3-II and Beclin-1 and suppression of p62. The assessment of the effects of Cavin3 protein showed that Matrine suppressed the Cavin3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, matrine also blocked the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt dose-dependently.

Conclusion: Taken together, Matrine may be employed for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.