Nudol, a phenanthrene derivative from Dendrobium nobile, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and inhibits migration in osteosarcoma cells

Abstract

Purpose:

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignancy of the bone in children and adolescents. There is an urgent need for the development of novel drugs to treat it. Nudol(1), a phenanthrene compound from the traditional Chinese medicine, Dendrobium nobile, exhibited antiproliferative activity against osteosarcoma cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of nudol(1) as potential chemotherapy for osteosarcoma.

Methods:

Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell-cycle phase distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blot. DAPI staining was used for morphology observation. Apoptosis was analysis via flow cytometry. The expression levels of mRNA and protein related to capase-mediated apoptotic pathway were detected by real-time PCR and western blotting. Migration was determined by wound healing assays.

Results:

Nudol(1) significantly decreased cell viability in several cancer cell lines. Moreover, nudol(1) caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in U2OS cells, and it also induced cell apoptosis through the caspase-dependent pathway. In addition, treatment with nudol(1) suppressed the migration of U2OS cells.

Conclusion:

The present study, for the first time, demonstrated effects of nudol(1) on OS in vitro and the potential molecular mechanisms. Accordingly, nudol(1) might have the potential for further development as a lead compound against bone tumor.

Keywords:

• nudol(1)
• phenanthrene
• Dendrobium nobile
• anti-proliferation
• osteosarcoma

Acknowledgments

This research work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 31501104, 81402820), the Young Taishan Scholars Program (No. tsqn20161037), Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No. JQ201721), Shandong Talents Team Cultivation Plan of University Preponderant Discipline (No. 10027).

Author contributions

All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting and revising the paper, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.