Icariin inhibits growth of human osteosarcoma cells by inducing apoptosis via downregulation of β-catenin signaling

Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor mainly endangering young adults. Icariin, derived from Herba Epimedii, has been shown to possess an anti-tumor effect in various cancers. However, whether icariin is effective for osteosarcoma has not been acknowledged. Our study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of icariin and the potential mechanism on human osteosarcoma cell lines. In present study, icariin dose-dependently inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells, examined by MTT assay and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection. Moreover, we found icariin induced G0/G1 phase arrest and decreased the expression of cyclin D and p-RB, increased expression of Bax and attenuated expression of Bcl-2, and consequently augmented caspase-3 activity. Further, icariin dose-dependently inhibited β-catenin expression and activity, while overexpression of β-catenin signaling by adenoviruses system could abrogate the anti-tumor effect of icariin. Our finding indicated that Icariin could inhibit the proliferation by inhibiting the β-catenin signaling and induces apoptosis via upregulation the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in human osteosarcoma cells. Icariin is a promising agent candidate for osteosarcoma that deserves more attention.

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