A Combination of Atractylon and Magnolol Inhibits the Survival of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through Promoting Autophagy.

Abstract

Background: New medications and treatment approaches are needed due to the rising frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma; pharmacological combination therapy is one such approach that is being thoroughly studied.

Methods: After co-treatment with atractylon and magnolol, cell viability and death were assessed using a CCK8 kit and an LDH kit, cell migration and invasion were assessed using a transwell assay, and related proteins were detected by western blotting after applying specific drug treatments or disturbances.

Results: In both HepG2 and Hep3B cells, magnolol and atractylon demonstrated significant synergistic effects, including the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. This mechanism may be mediated by the mTOR/TFEB signaling pathway.

Discussion: Based on our experimental findings and the existing literature, the combined application of atractylon and magnolol is considered to have promising therapeutic potential for suppressing the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. This warrants further investigation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize this combinatorial approach.

Conclusion: The synergistic effect of magnolol and atractylon was found to be superior to that of either compound alone, particularly in terms of cell viability, migration, and invasion. The use of both drugs leads to autophagy-associated cell death, and the mTOR/TFEB signal pathway is an important factor in this process.