Anticancer effects of OSW-1 on colorectal cancer cells via the ROS/NLRP3/ Caspase-1 pyroptosis signaling pathway

Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, has recently emerged as a compelling molecular mechanism associated with the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in tumor treatment. OSW-1, derived from the bulbs of Ornithogalum saundersiae Baker, exhibits a diverse range of pharmacological effects. However, its specific antitumor effects on colorectal cancer (CRC) and the mechanisms underlying these effects remain elusive. In this study, we explored whether OSW-1 can induce pyroptosis in CRC cells, aiming to expand its potential clinical applications. Various functional experiments, including Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), plate colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays, were conducted to assess cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The results of in vitro experiments revealed apparent inhibitory effects of OSW-1 on CRC cells, and we observed a pyroptosis-like morphology in treated cells by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). OSW-1 was found to induce pyroptosis through the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) pathway, with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediating this pyroptotic pathway. The results from xenograft animal models further demonstrated that OSW-1 facilitated pyroptosis in CRC cells, significantly inhibiting tumor growth. In summary, our findings suggest that OSW-1 activates pyroptosis in CRC cells through the ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway. These results provide valuable evidence regarding the role of pyroptosis in various tumor types, emphasizing the potential of OSW-1 as a therapeutic agent in tumor treatment.