Sinomenine Ameliorates Colitis-Associated Cancer by Modulating Lipid Metabolism via Enhancing CPT1A Expression

Abstract

Colitis-associated cancer (CAC), arising from long-lasting intestinal inflammation, is a common type of colorectal cancer. Sinomenine (SIN), the major active compound of Sinomenium acutum, displays excellent antitumor activity. In modern pharmacological research, SIN has been proved to arrest proliferation of human colon cancer cells in vitro, but its functional role and specific mechanism in CAC were still elusive. This study explored the molecular mechanism of SIN on CAC. The results showed that orally administered SIN could decrease the occurrence and development of CAC. Metabolomics results revealed SIN could reprogram metabolism in CAC mice by reversing 34 endogenous metabolites. Importantly, the most prominent metabolic alteration was lipid metabolism. Mechanistically, SIN improved lipid metabolism by enhancing the expression of CPT1A in CAC mice. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of SIN on the proliferation of human colon cancer cells was blunted via CPT1A inhibitor. The results of this study added further evidence of the molecular mechanisms that allow SIN to exert anti-CAC effect by facilitating lipid metabolism and reaffirmed its potential and distinctive role as a chemopreventive agent in CAC.