Effect of Angelica gigas Nakai Ethanol Extract and Decursin on Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most severe cancers, and its incidence and mortality rates have steadily increased in the past decade. In this study, we demonstrate the effect of Nakai extract on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. We prepared Nakai ethanol extract (AGE) using roots of Nakai and detected its active compound decursin from AGE by ultra-performance liquid chromatography analysis. AGE and decursin significantly decreased viability and colony formation of PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells. AGE and decursin induced G0/G1 phase arrest through downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). Caspase-3-dependent apoptosis of PANC-1 cells was promoted by AGE and decursin. Additionally, nontoxic concentrations of AGE and decursin treatment could suppress matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression and activity by inhibiting p38 phosphorylation. Taken together, this study demonstrates that AGE and decursin have potential properties to be considered in PC treatment.