Neogambogic acid induces apoptosis of melanoma B16 cells via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Background: Neogambogic acid, as one of the main components of gamboge, has obvious antitumor effects. Objective: To explore the mechanism by which neogambogic acid induces melanoma B16 cell apoptosis. Methods: Melanoma B16 cells were treated with different concentrations of neogambogic acid (0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 mu M). The proliferation inhibition rate was measured by MTT assay. Cell morphology was assessed by inverted microscope. Cell migration and invasion were tested by Transwell assay. The apoptosis rate and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. The level of proteins related to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was measured by Western blot. Results: The proliferation inhibition rate of B16 cells significantly increased with rising neogambogic acid concentration (P