Integrating experimental and network pharmacology to explore the pharmacological mechanisms of Dioscin against glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Dioscin (Dio) is an important anti-tumor active component found in the seeds of Livistona chinensis. However, the efficacy and mechanism of Dio in relation to the progression of glioblastoma (GBM) remain unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assays, flow cytometry, and Hoechst staining in vitro experiments. A tumor-bearing nude mouse model was employed to further explore the impact of Dio on GBM tumor growth in vivo experiments. Using network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking to predict the potential target proteins and signaling pathways of Dio anti-GBM. The expression of proteins associated with apoptotic pathways was assessed by western blotting. RESULTS: Dio effectively suppresses the proliferation and promotes apoptosis of U251 cells. In the established tumor-bearing nude mouse model, the anti-cancer activity of Dio was further assessed. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis highlighted cancer signaling pathways, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Western blot results showed that EGFR phosphorylation and apoptosis gene CASP3 increased with the increase of Dio concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Dio could inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of GBM cells, and play a significant inhibitory role in tumor growth. Dio could affect the phosphorylation of EGFR and then trigger the apoptosis process, resulting in the up-regulation of apoptosis protein CASP3 expression in GBM cells.