Xanthomicrol suppresses human hepatocellular carcinoma cells migration and invasion ability via Μu-opioid receptor

Abstract

Abstract Background Xanthomicrol is one of the methoxylated flavones and a promising cancer chemopreventive agent, but its anti-migration and anti-invasion ability on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Objectives This study aims to explore Xanthomicrol’s effects on migration and invasion ability of the human HCC Huh7 cell line. Methods Viability of Huh7 cells was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assayed with flow cytometry analysis. The ability of migration and invasion of Huh7 cells was then detected through Transwell assays. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins were also detected through Western blot. Key findings Xanthomicrol inhibits the migration and invasion of Huh7 cells. The overexpression of Μu-opioid receptor (MOR) increases Huh7 cells’ proliferation and enhances migration and invasion ability, while xanthomicrol treatment decreases the expression of MOR. Moreover, xanthomicrol can reverse migration, invasion and EMT-related protein expression by overexpressed MOR. Conclusions These results suggest that xanthomicrol is a potential MOR antagonist, and it possesses potent anti-migration and anti-invasion ability on Huh7 cells.