Effects of Terrestrosin D on biological behaviors of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2 cells

XU Yingbo; YUAN Shasha; XU Yinghua; YAO Xinyu; ZUO Lei

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-0460.2025.02.002

Abstract：Objective To explore the effects of Terrestrosin D on biological behaviors of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2 cells and growth of transplanted tumors in nude mice.Methods The cell activity was detected and experimental concentration was screened by CCK-8.CNE-2 cells were divided into blank control group and Terrestrosin D treatment groups(5,10,20 μmol/L).The cells proliferation was observed by EdU staining.The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The activity of stem cells was detected by cell spheroidization assay.The expressions of cells proliferation and apoptosis-related proteins,and stem cell markers were detected by Western blotting.The effects of Terrestrosin D on the growth of transplanted tumors in nude mice with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were observed.Results The CCK-8 experiment results showed that Terrestrin D at concentrations of 20,40,80,and 120 μmol/L significantly inhibited CNE-2 cell activity compared with the blank control group(P＜0.05).Subsequently,5,10,and 20 μmol/L were selected as experimental concentrations.CNE-2 cells were treated with Terrestrin D at concentrations of 5,10,and 20 μmol/L.The results showed that compared with the blank control group,the CNE-2 cell proliferation ability,expression of cell proliferation related proteins(Ki-67,VEGF),cell spheroidization rate,spheroidization diameter,the expression of apoptosis related protein(Bcl-2)and stem cell markers(SOX2,OCT4)were significantly reduced in the 10 and 20 μmol/L Terrestrin D treatment groups(P＜0.05),while apoptosis rate and expression of apoptosis related proteins(Bax,caspase-3)were significantly increased(P＜0.05).The treatment with 20 μmol/L Terrestrin D could reduce the quality of transplanted tumors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma nude mice and the positive expression rate of VEGF in tumor tissues,increase the apoptosis rate of tumor tissues.The differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Terrestrosin D can significantly inhibit the growth of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma and promote the apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.