Abstract
Background: This study investigates the anticancer effects of hydroalcoholic Alhagi maurorum extract on non-small-cell lung cancer. Materials and methods: Signaling pathways in non-small-cell lung cancer were analyzed using the EnrichR website and KEGG algorithms associated with the GSE50627 dataset. The protein-protein interaction network was analyzed using STRING software. The compounds in A. maurorum extract were obtained from the PubChem database. The proteins involved in the signaling pathways were docked with the compounds in A. maurorum extract using AutoDock software. Finally, a molecular dynamics simulation was performed using GROMACS 5.1.1 software. DPPH and MTT assays were used to determine the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of the extract on A549 lung cancer cells, respectively. The gene expression related to KEGG pathways was evaluated by real-time PCR. Results: The PI3K-Akt signaling was the most prevalent pathway in GSE50627, associated with non-small-cell lung cancer. Results showed the inhibitory potential of A. maurorum on A549 cells, with an IC50 of 277 μg/ml. The extract inhibited free radicals at increasing concentrations. A. maurorum extract inhibited PTEN as a specific target in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion: Therefore, the hydroalcoholic extract of A. maurorum may be a suitable candidate for inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in lung cancer.