β‐elemene enhances cisplatin sensitivity of non‐small cell lung cancer cells via the miR‐17‐5p/STAT3 axis

Abstract

AbstractIn China, β‐elemene, a sesquiterpene compound derived from Curcuma wenyujin, is clinically used to treat many human malignancies, including non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nonetheless, the role of β‐elemene in regulating cisplatin sensitivity of NSCLC cells and the related mechanisms are not clear. This study was conducted to investigate the role of β‐elemene in sensitizing NSCLC cells to cisplatin. In this work, cisplatin‐resistant NSCLC cell lines were constructed. CCK‐8, colony formation, and flow cytometry assays were executed to examine cell viability, growth, and apoptosis. MiR‐17‐5p and STAT3 expression levels in cells were detected by qRT‐PCR. Western blot was executed to determine the expression levels of STAT3 and apoptosis‐related proteins (Bax and Bcl‐2) in the cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene experiments were performed to verify the targeting relationship between miR‐17‐5p and STAT3. Herein, we report that, β‐elemene inhibits the viability, and induces the apoptosis of cisplatin‐resistant NSCLC cells. Additionally, β‐elemene induces the upregulation miR‐17‐5p and downregulation of STAT3. STAT3 is validated to be a target of miR‐17‐5p in NSCLC cells. Additionally, the role of β‐elemene to repress the viability of cisplatin‐resistant NSCLC cells is partially counteracted by miR‐17‐5p inhibitor or STAT3 overexpression. In summary, our study suggests that β‐elemene enhances cisplatin sensitivity of NSCLC cells by modulating miR‐17‐5p/STAT3 axis, and it may be a choice for the complementary treatment of NSCLC patients.