Mitochondrial Damage-induced Ferroptosis: The Molecular Mechanism by Which Psoralen Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion of Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Cells.

Background/aim: Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death mediated by lipid peroxidation, plays a critical role in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression. Psoralen, a bioactive natural compound, exhibits anticancer properties, but its effects and mechanisms in NSCLC remain unclear. This study explored whether psoralen induces ferroptosis by triggering mitochondrial damage and investigates the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Materials and methods: Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to assess the impact of psoralen on cell viability, while 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, colony-formation, scratch wound-healing, and Transwell assays evaluated its effects on proliferation, migration, and invasion. FerroOrange and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence probes, Western blot, and kits for malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG) were used to assess ferroptosis-related markers. JC-1, MitoTracker Green, and MitoSOX Red probes, along with transmission electron microscopy, were used to evaluate mitochondrial damage. Bioinformatics analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking were conducted to elucidate potential mechanisms.

Results: Psoralen disrupted mitochondrial structure and function; increased Fe²⁺ accumulation; elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, MDA and LPO; depleted GSH; and downregulated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), ultimately inducing ferroptosis and inhibiting NSCLC cell proliferation and invasion. Eleven key target genes (PRKCB, MIF, GPI, AKR1C3, PDE3B, VDR, ALOX5, PTGS2, NQO1, MMP13, and CA9) were identified, with enrichment analysis linking them to arachidonic acid metabolism, vascular endothelial growth factor signaling, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinity of psoralen' to these targets.

Conclusion: Psoralen induces ferroptosis in NSCLC by disrupting mitochondrial structure and function. These findings highlight its potential as a natural ferroptosis-targeting agent and provide insights for developing psoralen-based anticancer therapeutics.