Silibinin, A Natural Blend In Polytherapy Formulation For Targeting Cd44v6 Expressing Colon Cancer Stem Cells

Sci Rep. 2018 Nov 19;8(1):16985. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-35069-0.

Abstract

Colon cancer stem cells have been attributed to poor prognosis, therapeutic resistance and aggressive nature of the malignancy. Recent reports associated CD44v6 expression with relapse, metastasis and reduced 5-year survival of colon cancer patients, thereby making it a potential therapeutic target. Thus, in this study, comprehensive prediction and screening of CD44v6 against 1674 lead compounds was conducted. Silibinin was identified as a potential compound targeting CD44v6. Inorder to substantiate these findings, the cytotoxic effect of 5FU, Silibinin and 5FU+ Silibinin was assessed on human colon carcinoma cell line HCT116 derived CD44+ subpopulation. 5FU+ Silibinin inhibited cell proliferation of CD44+ subpopulation at lower concentration than Silibinin standalone. Further, corresponding to CD44v6 knockdown cells, 5FU+ Silibinin treatment significantly decreased CD44v6, Nanog, CTNNB1 and CDKN2A expression whereas increased E-cadherin expression in HCT116 derived CD44+ cells. Moreover, synergistic effect of these drugs suppressed sphere formation, inhibited cell migration, triggered PARP cleavage and perturbation in mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby activating intrinsic apoptotic pathways and induced autophagic cell death. Importantly, 5FU+ Silibinin could inhibit PI3K/MAPK dual activation and arrest the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. Thus, our study suggests that inhibition of CD44v6 attenuates stemness of colon cancer stem cells and holds a prospect of potent therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacology
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • G1 Phase / drug effects
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Silybin / administration & dosage
  • Silybin / pharmacology
  • Silybin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • CD44 protein, human
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Silybin
  • Fluorouracil