Combined effects of Vitamin D and neferine on the progression and metastasis of Colorectal cancer

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To investigate the synergistic effect of Vitamin D and neferine on colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and metastasis. Methods First, the biologically active form of vitamin D, VD3 was conducted to investigate significant synergistic effect with neferine on CRC treatment by bliss analysis. Next, the colony formation and wound healing ability, the migration and invasion ability, the epithelial mesenchymal transition of HCT-116 cells under combination treatment of VD3 and neferine were assessed. Results VD3 and neferine showed synergistic effect on CRC cell growth both in a relatively low dose. The wound healing and colony formation ability, cell migration and invasion abilities were all decreased by combination use of VD3 and neferine, in comparing with VD3 or Neferine single treated group. Moreover, VD3 and Neferine significantly decreased N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Slug expressions in HCT-116 cells. Conclusion These data suggest that neferine enhances the anticancer capability of VD3 and reduces VD3 dose dependency. Combination of Vitamin D with neferine seems to be a potential therapeutic strategy for CRC.