Brusatol inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells and reduces HIF-1α/VEGF expression and glycolysis under hypoxia

Prostate cancer (PCa) has a high rate of morbidity and mortality, which urges us to find a unique and effective drug for treatment. Brusatol, a triterpenoid-degraded derivative, possesses antitumor activities. However, the significance of Brusatol in prostate cancer has not yet been completely elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how Brusatol affected prostate cancer cells. DU145 and PC-3 cell lines were chosen as experimental models. After Brusatol was added to relevant cells in culture, CCK-8 and colony formation experiments were used to assess cell viability; apoptosis rates were calculated using flow cytometry; and transwell assays were utilized to assess cell migration and invasion ability. Vimentin, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA) protein expression were evaluated by western blotting, and glucose consumption in cells was assessed using related equipment. In DU145 and PC-3 cells, Brusatol drastically reduced cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, hindered migration and invasion. Considerably decreased HIF-1α and VEGF protein levels under hypoxia were detected. Furthermore, the expression of GLUT1, HK2, and LDHA was diminished, resulting in decreased glucose consumption in a Brusatol concentration-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that Brusatol serves as a potent antitumor drug that suppresses DU145 and PC-3 cancer cell growth, metastasis, and glycolysis. This discovery could provide a possible clinical treatment strategy for prostate cancer.