Background
Apigenin is a natural flavonoid compound with proven antitumor activity. However, its precise underlying pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. Oxaliplatin (OXA) is commonly utilized for cancer treatment as a platinum-based chemotherapy drug. However, the utilization of low-dose OXA carries the risk of inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells and promoting tumor metastasis, thereby giving rise to potential side effects. The
Conclusions
Evidence from this study indicates that apigenin can effectively suppress the metastasis of OSCC cancer cells induced by low-dose OXA through inhibiting the level of LINC00857, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy.
Methods
HSC-3 cells of oral squamous carcinoma cells (OSCCs) were divided into control, apigenin-treated and co-treated groups. A wound healing assay was conducted to assess alterations in cellular motility and migration, an invasion assay was performed to assess invasiveness, and a three-dimensional culture assay was employed to evaluate angiogenic capacity. Cultured cells were utilized for total DNA extraction, followed by reverse transcription. Relative RNA levels were obtained, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was conducted to assess the efficiency of LINC00857 expression.
Results
The administration of a low dose of OXA promoted the migratory, invasive, and angiogenic capabilities of HSC-3 cells, while also regulating EMT-associated molecular markers to facilitate the process of EMT. The inhibitory impact on OSCC proliferation was enhanced by the synergistic effect of apigenin and OXA. Furthermore, the tumor-promoting effects induced by low-dose OXA were notably suppressed through LINC00857. Conclusions: Evidence from this study indicates that apigenin can effectively suppress the metastasis of OSCC cancer cells induced by low-dose OXA through inhibiting the level of LINC00857, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy.