Anticancer Activity and Mechanism of 2-Dodecyl-6-Ethoxycyclohexa-2,5-Diene-1,4-Dione in Liver Cancer

Abstract

This study is directed to explore the activity and mechanism of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) against liver cancer. In vitro, we performed MTT and colony assays, AO/EB staining, flow cytometry, scratch tests, and Transwell assays. In vivo, we established a mouse model of liver cancer. HE staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), TUNEL assays, RT-qPCR analysis, immunohistochemical assays as well as Western blotting were employed to investigate the activity of DMDD on tumor growth. The results suggested that the proliferation and migration as well as invasion of Bel-7404 cells are inhibited by intervention with DMDD. Furthermore, it promotes apoptosis and causes the cell cycle to arrest in G1 phase. DMDD can efficiently suppress the growth of liver cancer, downregulate the expressions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 and exhibit a significant apoptosis-inducing effects of liver cancer cells in mice. Moreover, DMDD decreases the expression of mRNA and protein of MAPK pathway. Our findings for the first time indicate that DMDD has displayed effective anticancer effects. The mechanism of the effects may be associated with the modulation of the MAPK pathway.