ABSTRACT
@# Objective: To investigate the effect of tanshinone IIA on the invasion and migration of esophageal cancer EC9706 and KYSE70 cells, and to explore the underlying mechanism. Methods: Esophageal cancer cells (EC9706 and KYSE70) were divided into 4 groups: control group, tanshinone IIA groups (2, 4, 6 μg/ml). Cell prliferation viability was measured by CCK-8; Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry; Invasion was tested by Transwell assay; And migration was measured by Scratch assay. The mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin, Snail-2, Vimentin and N-cadherin were tested by quantitative Real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Results: Tanshinone IIAat concentrations less than 6 μg/ml did not affect the cell viability of esophageal cancer EC9706 and KYSE70 cells. The apoptosis in tanshinone IIA (4, 6 μg/ml) groups was significantly higher than that in control group ( P < 0.01). The number of invasive cells per field and wound-healing rate in tanshinone IIA(2, 4, 6 μg/ml) groups were significantly lower than those in control group (all P <0.01). Moreover, the cell morphology was transformed from a spindle-shaped mesenchymal form into epithelial morphology after tanshinone IIA treatment. Compared with control group, the expression of E-cadherin in tanshinone IIA groups (2, 4, 6 μg/ml) was significantly up-regulated while the expressions of Snail-2, Vimentin and N-cadherin were significantly down-regulated (all P <0.01). Conclusion: Tanshinone IIApromotes apoptosis and attenuates the invasion and migration of esophageal cancer cells by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.