Abstract

Neochamaejasmin A is an individual compound isolated from Stellera chamaejasme and exerts antitumor effects on several types of human cancer cells. However, the effect of neochamaejasmin A on human osteosarcoma cells has not yet been investigated. The main aim was to detect the in vitro antitumor effect of neochamaejasmin A on human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. MG-63 cells were treated with different concentrations of neochamaejasmin A (20, 40, 80 μg/ml). Cell viability was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell apoptosis was detected through cell morphology observation and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by rhodamine 123 staining. The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B signaling proteins were analyzed by western blotting. The results showed that neochamaejasmin A significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of MG- 63 cells. Neochamaejasmin A triggered the disorder of mitochondrial membrane potential, increased the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein and cleaved-caspase 3, decreased expression of B-cell lymphoma 2, and induced apoptosis through the inactivation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta signaling pathway. These new findings may indicate that neochamaejasmin A has potential to be chosen as a candidate for osteosarcoma chemotherapy.