Poria Acid, Triterpenoids Extracted from Poria cocos, Inhibits the Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: Poria cocos (P. cocos) is an important medicinal fungus in traditional Chinese medicine. Poria acid (PA), a triterpenoid compound, is an effective component of traditional Chinese medicine P. cocos. This experiment investigated the anti-gastric cancer biological activity of PA in vitro. Methods: The effect of PA on the viability of gastric cancer cells was detected by the thiazolyl blue (MTT) assay. Cell adhesion assays were used to detect changes in the adhesion of cells treated after PA (0, 20, 40, and 80 µmol/L). The ability of cell invasion and migration were detected by Transwell assays and wound healing assays. A high-content imaging system was used to dynamically record the motility of the gastric cancer cells after PA (0, 20, 40, and 80 µmol/L) treatment. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT), invasion and migration related proteins. Results: The MTT assay showed that the proliferation of gastric cancer cells was significantly inhibited after PA treatment. Cell adhesion experiments showed that the adhesion of gastric cancer cells was significantly decreased after PA treatment. Compared with the control group, the wound healing area of the gastric cancer cells treated with different concentrations of PA decreased. The Transwell assay showed that the number of gastric cancer cells passing through the cell membrane were significantly reduced after PA treatment. In addition, after PA treatment, the cells’ movement distance and average movement speed were significantly lower than those of the control group. Finally, PA can significantly alter the expression of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin and decreased the expressions of metastasis-related proteins matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP-9 and tissue inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)1 in the gastric cancer cells. Conclusions: Triterpenoids from P. cocos have significant biological activity against gastric cancer, and the mechanism may be involved in the process of epithelial–mesenchymal transformation.

Screening, isolation, and activity evaluation of potential xanthine oxidase inhibitors in Poria Cum Radix Pini and mechanism of action in the treatment of gout disease

“…As can be seen from Figure 4D, the SASA is a parameter used to describe the hydrophobicity of a protein, with higher SASA values indicating greater hydrophobicity of the protein. The SASA values of the four systems were mainly in the range of 320-350 nm 2 , with mean val-ues of 341.91, 335.39, 340.28, and 336.57 nm 2 , respectively, indicating good tightness.…”

“…As a commonly used medicine, Poria Cum Radix Pini (PRP) has a very long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine [1,2]. Accumulated evidence has revealed that PRP contains various active components, mainly polysaccharides, triterpenoids, sterols, volatile oils, and proteins [3].…”

Quantification of Chemical Groups and Quantitative HPLC Fingerprint of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf

“…TS, WSP, and AP are the three major active ingredients in PC. For example, TS has been proven to exert potent pharmacological effects [ 3 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and diuretic effects [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Polysaccharides have liver-protective, immune-boosting, and anti-aging effects [ 28 , 39 ].…”

Traditional Chinese medicine for transformation of gastric precancerous lesions to gastric cancer: A critical review

“…Therefore, the inhibition of EMT is a key factor in the treatment of GC. Wang et al [ 99 ] found that Poria acid can inhibit the EMT process by significantly increasing the expression of E-cadherin and inhibiting the expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin, thereby inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of GC cells. Babaodan (BBD) is a TCM compound that has been used in clinical treatment since the Ming Dynasty, (more than 400 years ago).…”