Work

Inhibition of Adrenergic Agonist–Induced Metastatic Potential in Cancer Cells by an Ethanolic Extract of Lindera aggregata Root Tuber

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: circulation and alleviate pain. This study investigated the anti-metastatic effects of an ethanolic extract of LA (ELA) and explored its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: The effect of ELA on adrenergic agonist-induced cancer cell migration and invasion was evaluated using transwell assays. The influence of ELA on Src phosphorylation induced by adrenergic agonists was assessed via Western blot analysis. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted based on the known and predicted targets of ELA, including KEGG pathway enrichment, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, and disease association analysis. Results: Migration of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells was promoted by adrenergic agonists, including epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), and isoprenaline (ISO). This effect was significantly reversed by ELA in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, E- and NE-induced cancer cell invasion was suppressed by ELA in a dose-dependent manner. ELA also inhibited E- and NE-stimulated Src phosphorylation, suggesting that the anti-metastatic effects of ELA are mediated through Src inactivation. Network pharmacology analysis identified Src as a central hub protein potentially mediating the effects of LA. In addition, enrichment analysis revealed significant involvement of LA targets in cancer-related pathways and cell motility processes, further supporting the experimental findings. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ELA inhibits adrenergic agonist-induced metastatic activity in cancer cells by deactivating Src, highlighting its potential as a novel anti-metastatic therapeutic agent.

Source: Journal of pharmacopuncture

DOI: 10.3831/kpi.2025.28.4.290

Authors: Jae-Hoon Jeong, Shin-Hyung Park

Institution: Dong-Eui University

Language: English

Topic: Cancer, Stress, Anesthesia, and Immune Response

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Dong-Eui University