β-Eudesmol Inhibits the Migration of Cholangiocarcinoma Cells by Suppressing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via PI3K/AKT and p38MAPK Modulation.

BACKGROUND

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly aggressive tumor with a greater risk of distant metastasis. A drug that prevents CCA development and spread is urgently needed.  In this research, we investigated the effect of β-eudesmol on the migration and invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of the CCA cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MTT and transwell assays were used to investigate the antiproliferative activity, as well as activity on cell migration and cell invasion. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis were used to investigate the expression of EMT marker genes and proteins.

RESULTS

β-eudesmol was shown to exhibit potent antiproliferative activity (IC50 92.25-185.67 µM) and to significantly reduce CCA cell migration and invasion (27.3-62.7%). At both mRNA and protein levels, it significantly up-regulated the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin (3-3.4-fold), while down-regulated the expression of mesenchymal markers-vimentin (0.6-0.8-fold) and snail-1 (0.4-0.6-fold). Furthermore, β-eudesmol inhibited PI3K and AKT phosphorylation (0.5-0.8-fold), while activating p38MAPK activity (1.2-3.6-fold).

CONCLUSION

Altogether, the anti-metastatic activity of β-eudesmol might be due to its suppressive effect on EMT via modulating the PI3K/AKT and p38MAPK signaling cascades.