Hinokiflavone induces apoptosis and inhibits migration of breast cancer cells via EMT signalling pathway

Hinokiflavone resists HFD-induced obesity by promoting apoptosis in an IGF2BP2-mediated Bim m6A modification dependent manner

Obesity has emerged as a major health risk on a global scale. Hinokiflavone (HF), a natural small molecule, extracted from plants like cypress, exhibits diverse chemical structures and low synthesis costs. Using high-fat diet-induced obese mice models, we found that HF suppresses obesity by inducing apoptosis in adipose tissue. Adipocyte apoptosis helps maintain tissue health by removing aging, damaged, or excess cells in adipose tissue, which is crucial in preventing obesity and metabolic diseases. We found that HF can specifically bind to insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 to promote the stability of N6-methyladenosine-modified Bim, inducing mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization leads to Caspase9/3-mediated adipocyte mitochondrial apoptosis, alleviating obesity induced by a high-fat diet. The proapoptotic effect of HF offers a controlled means for weight loss. This study reveals the potential of small molecule HF in developing new therapeutic approaches in drug development and biomedical research.

Role of flavonoids in inhibiting triple-negative breast cancer

Increasing incidences of metastasis or recurrence (or both) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are a growing concern worldwide, as these events are intricately linked to higher mortality rates in patients with advanced breast cancer. Flavonoids possess several pharmaceutical advantages with multi-level, multi-target, and coordinated intervention abilities for treating TNBC, making them viable for preventing tumor growth and TNBC metastasis. This review focused on the primary mechanisms by which flavonoids from traditional Chinese medicine extracts inhibit TNBC, including apoptosis, blocking of cell cycle and movement, regulation of extracellular matrix degradation, promotion of anti-angiogenesis, inhibition of aerobic glycolysis, and improvement in tumor microenvironment. This review aims to improve the knowledge of flavonoids as a promising pharmacological intervention for patients with TNBC.

A thermo-sensitive hydrogel with prominent hemostatic effect prevents tumor recurrence via anti-anoikis-resistance

Tumor cells can survive when detached from the extracellular matrix (ECM) or lose cell-cell connections, a phenomenon known as anoikis-resistance (AR). AR is closely associated with tumor cell metastasis and recurrence, enabling tumor cells to disseminate, migrate, and invade after detachment. To address this issue, a novel intervention method combining intraoperative hemostasis with multifunctional nanozyme driven-enhanced chemodynamic therapy (ECDT) has been proposed, which holds the potential to weaken the AR capability of tumor cells and suppress tumor recurrence. Here, a nanocomposite containing a dendritic mesoporous nanoframework with Cu2+ was developed using an anion-assisted approach after surface PEG grafting and glucose oxidase (GOx) anchoring (DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG). DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG was further encapsulated in a thermal-sensitive hydrogel (H@DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG). DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG utilizes its high peroxidase (POD) activity to elevate intracellular ROS levels, thereby weakening the AR capability of bladder cancer cells. Additionally, through its excellent catalase (CAT) activity, DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG converts the high level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) catalyzed by intracellular GOx into oxygen (O2), effectively alleviating tumor hypoxia, downregulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes, and ultimately suppressing the migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells. Interestingly, in vivo results showed that the thermosensitive hydrogel H@DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG could rapidly gel at body temperature, forming a gel film on wounds to eliminate residual tumor tissue after tumor resection surgery. Importantly, H@DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG exhibited excellent hemostatic capabilities, effectively enhancing tissue coagulation during post-tumor resection surgery and mitigating the risk of cancer cell dissemination and recurrence due to surgical bleeding. Such hydrogels undoubtedly possess strong surgical application. Our developed novel nanosystem and hydrogel can inhibit the AR capability of tumor cells and prevent recurrence post-surgery. This study represents the first report of using dendritic mesoporous silica-based nanoreactors for inhibiting the AR capability of bladder cancer cells and suppressing tumor recurrence post-surgery, providing a new avenue for developing strategies to impede tumor recurrence after surgery.

Biflavonoids: Preliminary Reports on Their Role in Prostate and Breast Cancer Therapy

Dimeric flavonoids, also called biflavonoids, are bioactive compounds that exhibit various activities described in the literature, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, vasorelaxant, and anticancer properties. This work focuses on the anticancer action of naturally occurring dimeric flavonoids against prostate and breast cancer, as well as on the mechanisms of action involved in their activity and presents the most current information on this subject in the literature. In the present review, we summarize the latest findings on the antiproliferative activity of 33 dimeric flavonoid-based compounds selected from recently published studies. The tests conducted were in silico and in vitro and demonstrated the cytotoxic activity potential of biflavonoids against prostate and breast tumor cells. Biflavonoids were capable of interfering with the migration and replication of cancer cells and their mechanism of action is related to cell death pathways, especially apoptosis, necrosis, and ferroptosis. These compounds decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and significantly increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, they significantly upregulated the expression of p21, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3, while downregulating Bcl-2 and caspase-3 levels, indicating their cell death mechanism of action is through the Bcl-2/Bax/cleaved caspase-3 pathway and cell cycle arrest. The biflavonoids here related have shown promising anticancer activity and are considered potential drug candidates for prostate and breast cancer treatment.

A comprehensive review of medicinal Toxicodendron (Anacardiaceae): Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Comprising of about 30 species, the genus Toxicodendron (Anacardiaceae) are mainly distributed in East Asia and North America. Among them, 13 species have been traditionally used as folk medicines in Asia and other parts of the world to treat blood diseases, abnormal bleeding, skin diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, liver diseases, bone injury, lung diseases, neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, tonic, cancer, eye diseases, menstrual irregularities, inflammation, rheumatism, diabetes mellitus, rattlesnake bite, internal parasites, contraceptive, vomiting and diarrhea.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To date, no comprehensive review on Toxicodendron has been published and the scientific basis of the traditional medicinal benefits of Toxicodendron have been less reported. Therefore, this review aims to provide a reference for further research and development on medicinal purpose of Toxicodendron by summarizing the works (from 1980 to 2023), and focusing on its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The names of the species were from The Plant List Database (http://www.theplantlist.org), World Flora Online (http://www.worldfloraonline.org), Catalogue of Life Database (https://www.catalogueoflife.org/) and Plants for A Future Database (https://pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx). And the search terms "Toxicodendron" and "the names of 31 species and their synonyms" were used to search for information from electronic databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Springer, and Wiley Online Library. Moreover, PhD and MSc dissertations were also used to support this work.

RESULTS

These species on Toxicodendron are widely used in folkloric medicine and modern pharmacological activities. So far, approximately 238 compounds, mainly phenolic acids and their derivatives, urushiols, flavonoids and terpenoids, are extracted and isolated from Toxicodendron plants, commonly, T. trichocarpum, T. vernicifluum, T. succedaneum, and T. radicans. Among them, phenolic acids and flavonoids are the main compound classes that show pharmacological activities in Toxicodendron plants both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the extracts and single compounds of these species show a wide range of activities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, liver protection, fat reduction, nerve protection, and treatment of blood diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Selected species of Toxicodendron have been used as herbal medicines in the Southeast Asian for a long time. Furthermore, some bioactive constituents have been identified from them, so plants in this genus may be potential new drugs. The existing research on Toxicodendron has been reviewed, and the phytochemistry and pharmacology provide theoretical basis for some of the traditional medicinal uses. Therefore, in this review, the traditional medicinal, phytochemical and modern pharmacology of Toxicodendron plants are summarized to help future researchers to find new drug leads or to get a better understanding of structure-activity relationships.

Three New Benzophenone Derivatives from Selaginella tamariscina

Six compounds including three new benzophenones, selagibenzophenones D-F (1-3), two known selaginellins (4-5) and one known flavonoid (6), were isolated from Selaginella tamariscina. The structures of new compounds were established by 1D-, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectral analyses. Compound 1 represents the second example of diarylbenzophenone from natural sources. Compound 2 possesses an unusual biphenyl-bisbenzophenone structure. Their cytotoxicity against human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and SMCC-7721 cells and inhibitory activities on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells were evaluated. Compound 2 showed moderate inhibitory activity against HepG2 and SMCC-7721 cells, and compounds 4 and 5 showed moderate inhibitory activity to HepG2 cells. Compounds 2 and 5 also exhibited inhibitory activities on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production.

Advances in the Anti-Tumor Activity of Biflavonoids in Selaginella

Despite the many strategies employed to slow the spread of cancer, the development of new anti-tumor drugs and the minimization of side effects have been major research hotspots in the anti-tumor field. Natural drugs are a huge treasure trove of drug development, and they have been widely used in the clinic as anti-tumor drugs. Selaginella species in the family Selaginellaceae are widely distributed worldwide, and they have been well-documented in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Biflavonoids are the main active ingredients in Selaginella, and they have good biological and anti-tumor activities, which warrant extensive research. The promise of biflavonoids from Selaginella (SFB) in the field of cancer therapy is being realized thanks to new research that offers insights into the multi-targeting therapeutic mechanisms and key signaling pathways. The pharmacological effects of SFB against various cancers in vitro and in vivo are reviewed in this review. In addition, the types and characteristics of biflavonoid structures are described in detail; we also provide a brief summary of the efforts to develop drug delivery systems or combinations to enhance the bioavailability of SFB monomers. In conclusion, SFB species have great potential to be developed as adjuvant or even primary therapeutic agents for cancer, with promising applications.

Graphene oxide nanoarchitectures in cancer biology: Nano-modulators of autophagy and apoptosis

Nanotechnology is a growing field, with many potential biomedical applications of nanomedicine for the treatment of different diseases, particularly cancer, on the horizon. Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles can act as carbon-based nanocarriers with advantages such as a large surface area, good mechanical strength, and the capacity for surface modification. These nanostructures have been extensively used in cancer therapy for drug and gene delivery, photothermal therapy, overcoming chemotherapy resistance, and for imaging procedures. In the current review, we focus on the biological functions of GO nanoparticles as regulators of apoptosis and autophagy, the two major forms of programmed cell death. GO nanoparticles can either induce or inhibit autophagy in cancer cells, depending on the conditions. By stimulating autophagy, GO nanocarriers can promote the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy. However, by impairing autophagy flux, GO nanoparticles can reduce cell survival and enhance inflammation. Similarly, GO nanomaterials can increase ROS production and induce DNA damage, thereby sensitizing cancer cells to apoptosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments have investigated whether GO nanomaterials show any toxicity in major body organs, such as the brain, liver, spleen, and heart. Molecular pathways, such as ATG, MAPK, JNK, and Akt, can be regulated by GO nanomaterials, leading to effects on autophagy and apoptosis. These topics are discussed in this review to shed some lights towards the biomedical potential of GO nanoparticles and their biocompatibility, paving the way for their future application in clinical trials.

Antiproliferation effects of nanophytosome-loaded phenolic compounds from fruit of Juniperus polycarpos against breast cancer in mice model: synthesis, characterization and therapeutic effects

Background

This research was performed to synthesize nanophytosome-loaded high phenolic fraction (HPF) from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract and investigate its antiproliferation effects against breast cancer in mice model.

Results

The nanophytosome-loaded HPF from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract was synthesized. The mice trial was conducted to determine the possible toxic effects of the synthesized nanophytosomes. The anticancer, pro-apoptotic, and antioxidative activities of the nanophytosomes were determined. The nanophytosome-loaded HPF had a spherical structure with a size of 176 nm and a polydispersity index coefficient of 0.24. The in vivo study manifested that nanophytosome-loaded HPF significantly improved weight gain and food intake compared to the negative control group (p < 0.05). The nanophytosome-loaded HPF significantly enhanced the expression of bax (3.4-fold) and caspase-3 (2.7-fold) genes, but reduced bcl2 (3.6-fold) gene expression in tumor cells. The average tumor size was significantly decreased in mice treated with nanophytosome-loaded HPF (p < 0.05). The expression of GPX (2.3-fold) and SOD (2.7-fold) antioxidants in the liver of mice supplemented with nanophytosome-loaded HPF was significantly developed compared to the negative control (p < 0.05). The nanophytosome-loaded HPF did not show toxicity on normal cells.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that nanophytosome-loaded HPF might be a potential anticancer agent for the breast cancer treatment.

Hinokiflavone Inhibits MDM2 Activity by Targeting the MDM2-MDMX RING Domain

The proto-oncogene MDM2 is frequently amplified in many human cancers and its overexpression is clinically associated with a poor prognosis. The oncogenic activity of MDM2 is demonstrated by its negative regulation of tumor suppressor p53 and the substrate proteins involved in DNA repair, cell cycle control, and apoptosis pathways. Thus, inhibition of MDM2 activity has been pursued as an attractive direction for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics. Virtual screening was performed using the crystal structure of the MDM2-MDMX RING domain dimer against a natural product library and identified a biflavonoid Hinokiflavone as a promising candidate compound targeting MDM2. Hinokiflavone was shown to bind the MDM2-MDMX RING domain and inhibit MDM2-mediated ubiquitination in vitro. Hinokiflavone treatment resulted in the downregulation of MDM2 and MDMX and induction of apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. Hinokiflavone demonstrated p53-dependent and -independent tumor-suppressive activity. This report provides biochemical and cellular evidence demonstrating the anti-cancer effects of Hinokiflavone through targeting the MDM2-MDMX RING domain.

Biflavonoids from Selaginella doederleinii as Potential Antitumor Agents for Intervention of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Four new biflavonoids (1-4) were isolated from Selaginella doederleinii together with a known biflavonoid derivative (5). Their structures contained a rare linker of individual flavones to each other by direct C-3-O-C-4''' bonds, and were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS, NMR and ECD data. All isolates significantly inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells (IC50 = 2.3-8.4 μM) with low toxicity to non-cancer MRC-5 cells, superior to the clinically used drug DDP. Furthermore, the most active compound 3 suppressed XIAP and survivin expression, promoted upregulation of caspase-3/cleaved-caspase-3, as well as induced cell apoptosis and cycle arrest in A549 cells. Together, our findings suggest that 3 may be worth studying further for intervention of NSCLC.

Hinokiflavone and Related C-O-C-Type Biflavonoids as Anti-cancer Compounds: Properties and Mechanism of Action

Biflavonoids are divided in two classes: C-C type compounds represented by the dimeric compound amentoflavone and C-O-C-type compounds typified by hinokiflavone (HNK) with an ether linkage between the two connected apigenin units. This later sub-group of bisflavonyl ethers includes HNK, ochnaflavone, delicaflavone and a few other dimeric compounds, found in a variety of plants, notably Selaginella species. A comprehensive review of the anticancer properties and mechanism of action of HNK is provided, to highlight the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activities of HNK and derivatives, and HNK-containing plant extracts. The anticancer effects rely on the capacity of HNK to interfere with the ERK1-2/p38/NFκB signaling pathway and the regulation of the expression of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 (with a potential direct binding to MMP-9). In addition, HNK was found to function as a potent modulator of pre-mRNA splicing, inhibiting the SUMO-specific protease SENP1. As such, HNK represents a rare SENP1 inhibitor of natural origin and a scaffold to design synthetic compounds. Oral formulations of HNK have been elaborated to enhance its solubility, to facilitate the compound delivery and to enhance its anticancer efficacy. The review shed light on the anticancer potential of C-O-C-type biflavonoids and specifically on the pharmacological profile of HNK. This compound deserves further attention as a regulator of pre-mRNA splicing, useful to treat cancers (in particular hepatocellular carcinoma) and other human pathologies.

Homogenate-Ultrasound-Assisted Ionic Liquid Extraction of Total Flavonoids from Selaginella involven: Process Optimization, Composition Identification, and Antioxidant Activity

In this paper, an efficient approach to extract total flavonoids (TFs) from Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring using homogenate-ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid (IL) extraction (HUA-ILE) was first developed. The results indicated that EPyBF4 was selected as the suitable extractant. According to the single factor experiment and response surface methodology, the IL concentration of 0.10 mol/L, the extraction time of 160 s, the liquid/solid ratio of 13:1 mL/g, and the extraction power of 300 W were concluded as the best conditions. A yield of 8.48 ± 0.27 mg/g TF content was obtained. Compared with HUA ethanol extraction, ultrasound-assisted IL extraction, and percolation extraction, the TF content obtained by the HUA-ILE method could be increased by 2 to 4 times, and the extraction time could be reduced by 100 times. Furthermore, 16 compounds of the TF extract were finally identified through ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry, among which 11 compounds were first discovered in S. involven. The contents of six biflavonoids in S. involven were determined simultaneously adopting high-performance liquid chromatography, including amentoflavone, hinokiflavone, bilobetin, ginkgetin, isoginkgetin, and heveaflavone. The TF extract in S. involven was proved to have potent antioxidant activity through the four antioxidant experiments. In conclusion, HUA-ILE was applied for the first time to exploit a green, efficient, and novel approach to extract TFs, and the research also provided promising prospects for applications of S. involven.

Biology of the mRNA Splicing Machinery and Its Dysregulation in Cancer Providing Therapeutic Opportunities

Dysregulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) processing—in particular mRNA splicing—is a hallmark of cancer. Compared to normal cells, cancer cells frequently present aberrant mRNA splicing, which promotes cancer progression and treatment resistance. This hallmark provides opportunities for developing new targeted cancer treatments. Splicing of precursor mRNA into mature mRNA is executed by a dynamic complex of proteins and small RNAs called the spliceosome. Spliceosomes are part of the supraspliceosome, a macromolecular structure where all co-transcriptional mRNA processing activities in the cell nucleus are coordinated. Here we review the biology of the mRNA splicing machinery in the context of other mRNA processing activities in the supraspliceosome and present current knowledge of its dysregulation in lung cancer. In addition, we review investigations to discover therapeutic targets in the spliceosome and give an overview of inhibitors and modulators of the mRNA splicing process identified so far. Together, this provides insight into the value of targeting the spliceosome as a possible new treatment for lung cancer.

Bioactivity of natural biflavonoids in metabolism-related disease and cancer therapies

Natural biflavonoids, such as amentoflavone, bilobetin, ginkgetin, isoginkgetin, taiwaniaflavone, morelloflavone, delicaflavone, hinokiflavone, and other derivatives (~ 40 biflavonoids), are isolated from Selaginella sp., Ginkgo biloba, Garcinia sp., and several other species of plants. They are able to exert therapeutic benefits by regulating several proteins/enzymes (PPAR-γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α [C/EBPα], STAT5, pancreatic lipase, PTP1B, fatty acid synthase, α-glucosidase [AG]) and insulin signaling pathways (via PI3K-AKT), which are linked to metabolism, cell growth, and cell survival mechanisms. Deregulated insulin signaling can cause complications of obesity and diabetes, which can lead to cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia; therefore, the therapeutic benefits of these biflavones in these areas are highlighted. Since biflavonoids have shown potential to regulate metabolism, growth- and survival-related protein/enzymes, their relation to tumor growth and metastasis of cancer associated with angiogenesis are highlighted. The translational role of biflavones in cancer with respect to the inhibition of metabolism-related processes/pathways, enzymes, or proteins, such as STAT3/SHP-1/PTEN, kinesins, tissue kallikreins, aromatase, estrogen, protein modifiers, antioxidant, autophagy, and apoptosis induction mechanisms, are discussed. Finally, considering their observed bioactivity potential, oral bioavailability studies of biflavones and related clinical trials are outlined.

Crosstalk of long non-coding RNAs and EMT: Searching the missing pieces of an incomplete puzzle for lung cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is considered to be the first place among the cancer-related deaths worldwide and demands novel strategies in the treatment of this life-threatening disorder. The aim of this review is to explore regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION

LncRNAs can be considered as potential factors for targeting in cancer therapy, since they regulate a bunch of biological processes, e.g. cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The abnormal expression of lncRNAs occurs in different cancer cells. On the other hand, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical mechanism participating in migration and metastasis of cancer cells.

METHOD

Different databases including Googlescholar, Pubmed and Sciencedirect were used for collecting articles using keywords such as "LncRNA", "EMT", and "Lung cancer".

RESULT

There are tumor-suppressing lncRNAs that can suppress EMT and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Expression of such lncRNAs undergoes down-regulation in lung cancer progression and restoring their expression is of importance in suppressing lung cancer migration. There are tumor-promoting lncRNAs triggering EMT in lung cancer and enhancing their migration.

CONCLUSION

LncRNAs are potential regulators of EMT in lung cancer, and targeting them, both pharmacologically and genetically, can be of importance in controlling migration of lung cancer cells.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Ionic Liquid Extraction of Two Biflavonoids from Selaginella tamariscina

Selaginella tamariscina, a traditional Chinese medicine, contains a variety of bioactive components, among which biflavonoids are the main active ingredients and have antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, ultrasonic-assisted ionic liquid extraction (UAILE) is used for the first time to extract two main biflavonoids (amentoflavone (AME) and hinokiflavone (HIN)) from S. tamariscina. A high-performance liquid chromatography method is used for the simultaneous determination of AME and HIN in S. tamariscina. Then, three novel ILs are synthesized for the first time by a one-step method using benzoxazole and three acids or acid salts as raw materials, and the structures of the synthesized ILs are characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy, as well as the thermal stability of the ILs is evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. After screening the extraction effects of three benzoxazole ILs, three pyridine ILs, and three imidazole ILs, it is found that [Bpy]BF4 is the best and therefore selected as the extractant. The optimal extraction process is explored in terms of the yields of AME and HIN from S. tamariscina by a single-factor experiments and response surface analysis. Under the optimal level of each influencing factor (IL concentration of 0.15 mol/L, solid-liquid ratio of 1:12 g/mL, ultrasonic power of 280 W, ultrasonic time of 30 min, and three extraction cycles), the extraction rates of AME and HIN from S. tamariscina are 13.51 and 6.74 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the recovery experiment of [Bpy]BF4 on the extraction of biflavonoids shows that the recovered IL can repeatedly extract targets six times and the extraction rate is about 90%, which indicates that the IL can be effectively reused. UAILE can effectively and selectively extract AME and HIN, laying the foundation for the application of S. tamariscina.

Hinokiflavone induces apoptosis and inhibits migration of breast cancer cells via EMT signalling pathway

Hinokiflavone is a natural product, isolated from Selaginella P. Beauv, Juniperus phoenicea and Rhus succedanea. Even though hinokiflavone was reported to possess cytotoxicity to many cancer cells, and has potential in cancer treatment, the anti‐proliferation and anti‐metastasis efficacy of hinokiflavone on human breast cancer cells has not a further research. In this study, we investigated the anti‐cancer activity of hinokiflavone in human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Hinokiflavone exhibited a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner apoptosis induction by upregulating expression of Bax and downregulating Bcl‐2 in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, hinokiflavone significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by impairing the process of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. In addition, the tumour growth was distinctly inhibited by treatment of hinokiflavone in a xenograft tumour mouse model of MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumour sections showed that MMP‐2⁺ cells and Ki‐67⁺ cells were remarkably decreased in tumour tissues of mice after treatment of hinokiflavone, indicating that hinokiflavone inhibits not only proliferation but also metastasis of breast cancer cells. Our study suggested that hinokiflavone can be a potential drug to breast cancer.

Significance of the study

Hinokiflavone significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. In addition, hinokiflavone remarkably inhibited migration and invasion of breast cancer cells via EMT signalling pathway. It is worth noting that hinokiflavone possesses anti‐tumour effect in tumour mouse xenograft model of breast cancer. Overall, our results indicated that hinokiflavone may be a potential anticancer drug for breast cancer treatment.