Effect of baicalin on proliferation and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESPancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancer types. Pancreatic cancer is highly malignant and characterized by rapid and uncontrolled growth. This study was designed to investigate the effect of baicalin on proliferation and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. METHODSCCK-8 assay and Clone formation assay were performed to detect the effect of baicalin on proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells. Cell invasion and migration were all assessed with Wound healing assay and Transwell invasion assay. Flow Cytometry Analysis and DAPI staining were performed to detect the effect of baicalin on apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, proliferation-associated protein and apoptosis-related protein were detected to evaluate the cell proliferation and apoptosis levels. P-JNK protein, t-JNK protein, Foxo1 protein and BIM protein were examined by western blot to verify whether baicalin could regulate the proliferation and apoptosis via the JNK/Foxo1/BIM signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. RESULTSThe cell proliferation level was significantly decreased while the cell apoptosis level was significantly increased in pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells treated with baicalin. As the same, baicalin downregulated the ability of invasion and migration in pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells. CONCLUSIONBaicalin might inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis via JNK/Foxo1/BIM signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells.