Abstract:
Objective: To explore the effects of brucea javanica oil emulsion (BJOE) on proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma TE-1 cells and the possible mechanism. Methods: According to the different interventions TE-1 cells were divided into control group, RAPA (autophagy agonist) group, 740Y-P (PI3K activator) group, BJOE group, BJOE+RAPA group and BJOE+740Y-P group. Cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by FCM, clonogenesis and Transwell assay; the mRNA expression of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, LC3Ⅰ, LC3Ⅱ, p62, Beclin 1 and caspase-3 in cells was detected by qPCR; and the protein expression levels of PI3K,Akt, mTOR and their phosphorylation as well as the protein expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ, p62, Beclin1 and caspase-3 were detected by Western blotting. Results: Compared with the control group, RAPA group and BJOE group exhibited increased cell apoptosis rate (both P<0.01),reduced clone formation rate, cell invasion and migration ability (all P<0.01), decreased mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K,Akt, mTOR (all P<0.05) as well as decreased mRNA and protein levels of p62 (all P<0.01), and increased mRNA and protein levels of LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ, Beclin 1 and caspase-3 (all P<0.05); however, the results of 740Y-P group were opposite (all P<0.05). Compared with RAPA group or 740Y-P group alone, BJOE+RAPA or BJOE+740Y-P group exhibited increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), decreased clone formation rate,cell invasion and migration ability (all P<0.01), decreased mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR (all P<0.05) as well as decreased mRNA and protein levels of p62 (all P<0.05), and increased mRNA and protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ, Beclin 1 and caspase-3 (all P<0.05). Conclusion: BJOE significantly inhibits the proliferation, invasion, migration and promotes apoptosis and autophagy of TE-1 cells, and the mechanism may be related to inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.