Baicalein Inhibits the Proliferation of Cervical Cancer Cells Through the GSK3β-Dependent Pathway

Oncol Res. 2018 May 7;26(4):645-653. doi: 10.3727/096504017X15031557924141. Epub 2017 Aug 23.

Abstract

Baicalein, a flavonoid derived from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, has been reported to possess multiple pharmacological activities, such as anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the effect of baicalein in cervical cancer cells. Cell growth curve and MTT assay were performed and revealed that baicalein inhibited the proliferation of SiHa and HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner. We further found that baicalein arrested the cell cycle of SiHa and HeLa cells at the G0/G1 phase by suppressing the expression of cyclin D1 through the downregulation of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) according to FACS assays and Western blotting. Moreover, when CHIR-99021, a GSK3β inhibitor, was added to baicalein-treated SiHa cells, the expression of cyclin D1 was recovered, and cell proliferation was promoted. In conclusion, these data indicated that baicalein suspended the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase via the downregulation of cyclin D1 through the AKT-GSK3β signaling pathway and further inhibited the proliferation of SiHa and HeLa cervical cancer cells.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Flavanones / isolation & purification
  • Flavanones / pharmacology*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Scutellaria baicalensis
  • Signal Transduction
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / enzymology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Flavanones
  • Plant Extracts
  • Scutellaria baicalensis extract
  • baicalein
  • GSK3B protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta