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Ji L, Shen W, Zhang F, Qian J, Jiang J, Weng L, Tan J, Li L, Chen Y, Cheng H, Sun D. Worenine reverses the Warburg effect and inhibits colon cancer cell growth by negatively regulating HIF-1α. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2021; 26:19. [PMID: 34006215 PMCID: PMC8130299 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-021-00263-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Some natural compounds inhibit cancer cell growth in various cancer cell lines with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. Here, we explore the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of worenine (isolated from Coptis chinensis) against colorectal cancer. Methods The effects of worenine on colorectal cancer cell proliferation, colony formation and cell cycle distribution were measured. Glycolysis was investigated by examining glucose uptake and consumption, lactate production, and the activities and expressions of glycolysis enzymes (PFK-L, HK2 and PKM2). HIF-1α was knocked down and stimulated in vitro to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results Worenine somewhat altered the glucose metabolism and glycolysis (Warburg effect) of cancer cells. Its anti-cancer effects and capability to reverse the Warburg effect were similar to those of HIF-1α siRNA and weakened by deferoxamine (an HIF-1α agonist). Conclusion It is suggested that worenine targets HIF-1α to inhibit colorectal cancer cell growth, proliferation, cell cycle progression and the Warburg effect. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11658-021-00263-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijiang Ji
- Changshu TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changshu, 215500, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Weixing Shen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jie Qian
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- Changshu TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changshu, 215500, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Liping Weng
- Changshu TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changshu, 215500, China
| | - Jiani Tan
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Liu Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yugen Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Haibo Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China. .,The First School of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Dongdong Sun
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Jiangsu Province of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China. .,School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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