Abstract
This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which Xihuang Pill induces pyroptosis in glioma cells via the regulation of miR-21-5p. Human glioma cell lines U-87 and LN-229 were used as experimental models to assess the effects of Xihuang Pill on glioma pyroptosis. Cells were incubated with Xihuang Pill extract at concentrations of 7.5, 15, and 30 µg/mL for 24 h, alongside transfection with miR-21-5p mimic, an overexpression vector for STAT3, or incubation with 50 µg/mL of the STAT3 activator Colivelin for 4 h. Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and expression levels of p-STAT3/STAT3 and pyroptosis-related proteins were determined by Western Blot. Additionally, cleaved caspase-1 was assessed by immunofluorescence, miR-21-5p expression by qRT-PCR, and STAT3 binding to the miR-21-5p promoter region by ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Results showed that Xihuang Pill significantly reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis, and upregulated the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins such as NLRP3, IL-1β, cleaved caspase-1, and GSDMD-N, while reducing p-STAT3/STAT3 and miR-21-5p levels (P < 0.05). Xihuang Pill inhibited STAT3 activation, which modulated miR-21-5p expression by binding to its promoter region. Co-transfection with miR-21-5p mimic reversed the effect of Xihuang Pill on glioma pyroptosis (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Xihuang Pill promotes glioma cell pyroptosis through the STAT3/miR-21-5p pathway.