ABSTRACT
AIM: To explore the effects of kaempferol on the proliferation, invasion and migration abilities of HBx-HepG2 cells and to examine the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS: The expression levels of related genes at mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot.The cell apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry.The cell proliferation, growth, invasion and migration abilities were measured by MTT assay, colony formation assay, Transwell invasion assay and wound healing assay, respectively.RESULTS: Kaemferol inhibited HBx-HepG2 cell proliferation in a concentration-and time-dependent manner.Kaempferol at 100 μmol/L significantly inhibited the colony formation, invasion and migration abilities of the HBx-HepG2 cells.Kaemferol at 100 μmol/L also increased cell apoptotic rate, increased the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and Bax, and decreased the expression level of Bcl-2.In addition, kaemferol at 100 μmol/L suppressed the mRNA and protein expression levels of β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 in the HBx-HepG2 cells.Kaemferol at 100 μmol/L also suppressed the protein level of p-GSK-3β and the β-catenin protein levels in both cytoplasm and nucleus.LiCl treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of kaempferol on the growth, invasion and migration of the HBx-HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION: Kaempferol inhibits cell proliferation, invasion and migration via activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HBx-HepG2 cells.