Cincumol prevents malignant phenotype of colorectal cancer cell line HCT116 via inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling in vitro.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common human cancer along with higher incidence and mortality, and this study aimed to identify the effect of cincumol on CRC and its potential mechanisms.

Methods: CRC cell line HCT116 was used as the material. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay, and cell migration was detected by scratch test and Transwell assay. TUNEL staining assay was used to evaluate cell apoptosis. The expression of target genes was detected by qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays.

Results: Cincumol significantly reduced the proliferative and migratory rate and enhanced apoptotic rate of HCT116 cells. Meanwhile, the elevated levels of RBUsuh, Nicd and Tace was also observed in cincumol-treated HCT116 cells. Moreover, our findings revealed that additional cincumol inhibited the expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT, suggesting the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling might be involved in the protective role of cincumol on the malignant phenotypes of CRC cells in vitro.

Conclusions: Cincumol inhibited the malignant phenotypes of CRC cells in vitro through inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling, suggesting that cincumol might be a potential anti-CRC agent.