LAUSR

Tanshinone IIA (TSIIA) is an active ingredient extracted from the root of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge), a Chinese traditional herb. Recent studies have indicated that TSIIA is a natural anti-tumor agent, however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. We studied the anti-tumor efficacy of TSIIA on human colon cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo, and have further demonstrated that the molecular anti-cancer property of TanIIA is dependent on its inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptotic cell death via p38MAPK signaling pathway. The results indicated that TanIIA were markedly more effective than control group in preventing tumor growth and increasing survival time. This phenomenon was accompanied by a decrease in cell growth in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Hoechst 33258 stainning showed an increased number of apoptotic bodies in the cells after treatment with TanIIA. Flow cytometry analysis showed TanIIA could cause an obvious colon cacer cell apoptosis and arrest cells in the G0/G1 phase. After p38MAPK signaling pathway was blocked, the cell apoptotic rates and cell ratio of G0/G1 phase were decreased significantly. In addition, TanIIA increased p38MAPK phosphorylation, and up-regulated the protein expression of ATF-2, The ATF-2 expression was found to be significantly decreased in cells treated with p38MAPK-specific inhibitor. From our results, it is speculated that TanIIA may induce human colon cancer cells apoptosis and arrest cells in the G0/G1 phase involve up-regulation the expression of the ATF-2 mRNA via p38MAPK signal transduction pathway. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Yan Wang, Lihong Zhou, Qing Ji, Hua Sui, Xueqing Hu, Gang Cai, Qi Li. TanshinoneIIA, an isolated compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza, inhibits cell growth in colorectal cancer via activation of p38MAPK signaling pathway [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4303.