Lycorine inhibits the proliferation of neuroblastoma neuro-2a cells by inducing G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Lycorine, a benzylphenanthridine-type alkaloid extracted form Amarillidaceae genera, exhibits an efficacy against various types of cancer. Nonetheless, the impact of lycorine treatment on neuroblastoma has not yet been investigated. Here we utilized a combinatorial strategy to explore and to understand the effect of lycorine on neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cells. Our results indicated that lycorine inhibits the Neuro-2a cells proliferation by promoting cell apoptosis. In addition, wound healing assay revealed that lycorine inhibits the Neuo-2a cells migration. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed that lycorine has the potential to affect cycle pathway. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that lycorine arrested the Neuro-2a cell cycle at G2/M phase. Furthermore, we detected that the protein expression of Cyclin A, Cyclin B1 and Cyclin E were decreased, whereas protein of p53, Tgfβ3, Gadd45β, Gadd45γ, p21 and p27 were increased after treatment with lycorine. Collectively, we propose that lycorine might be a valuable candidate therapeutic agent in combating neuroblastoma.