Nobiletin Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion, Migration and Angiogenesis in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Aim/Background: The nobiletin is a polymethoxyflavonoid isolated from citrus, which is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The nobiletin could inhibit the development of human cancer. However, the role of nobiletin in human colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. The present study aimed to explore the nobiletin function in CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis as well as the occurrence mechanisms. Methods: The cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8 assay) and Brdu (5-brom-2-odeoxyuridine) staining assay were used to determine the effect of nobiletin on cell proliferation. The transwell assay and wound healing assay were used to assess cell invasion and migration. The western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of VEGFA, Ang2, p65, p-p65, STAT3, p-STAT3 in CRC cell. Result Compared with the control group (0 mg/L), the cell proliferation was increased in a dose-dependent manner with 10, 50, 100, 150 mg/L nobiletin for 48 h. The nobiletin inhibited cell invasion and migration and suppressed the expression of VEGFA and Ang2 to block angiogenesis in the colorectal cancer. In addition, we found that nobiletin inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis by suppression of NF-kappa B/STAT3 pathway. Conclusion: The study provided evidence that nobiletin inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis in the colorectal cancer.