Casticin induces ferroptosis in human osteosarcoma cells through Fe2+ overload and ROS production mediated by HMOX1 and LC3-NCOA4.

Osteosarcoma is a primary solid bone malignancy, and surgery + chemotherapy is the most commonly used treatment. However, chemotherapeutic drugs can cause a range of side effects. Casticin, a polymethoxyflavonoid, has anti-tumor therapeutic effects. This study is aim to investigate the anti-osteosarcoma activity of casticin and explore the mechanism. Crystal violet staining, MTT assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, hoechst 33,258 staining, and flow cytometry analysis were used to investigate the effects of casticin on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells in vitro. The intracellular Fe2+, ROS, MDA, GSH/GSSG content changes were detected using the corresponding assay kits. The mRNA sequencing + bioinformatics analysis and western blot were used to detect the possible mechanism. We found that casticin caused G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in human osteosarcoma cells, inhibited the migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis and ferroptosis. Mechanistic studies showed the ferroptosis pathway was enriched stronger than apoptosis. Casticin up-regulated the expression of HMOX1, LC3 and NCOA4, meanwhile it activated MAPK signaling pathways. Animal experiments proved that casticin also inhibited the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma cell xenograft tumor in vivo. In conclusion, casticin can induce ferroptosis in osteosarcoma cells through Fe2+ overload and ROS production mediated by HMOX1 and LC3-NCOA4. This provides a new strategy for osteosarcoma treatment.

Securinine inhibits the tumor growth of human bladder cancer cells by suppressing Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and activating p38 and JNK signaling pathways.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in urinary system. Although chemotherapy is one of the most important adjuvant treatments for BC, drug resistance, non-specific toxicity and severe side effects are the major obstacles to BC chemotherapy. Natural products have always been a leading resource of antitumor drug discovery, with the advantages of excellent effectiveness, low toxicity, multi-targeting potency and easy availability. In this study, we evaluated the potential anti-tumor effect of securinine (SEC), a natural alkaloid from Securinega suffruticosa, on BC cells in vitro and in vivo, and delineated the underlying mechanism. We found that SEC inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion, induced the apoptosis of BC cells in vitro, and retarded the xenograft tumor growth of BC cell in vivo. Notably, SEC had a promising safety profile because it presented no or low toxicity on normal cells and mice. Mechanistically, SEC inactivated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway while activated p38 and JNK signaling pathway. Moreover, ß-catenin overexpression, the p38 inhibitor SB203580 and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 both mitigated the inhibitory effect of SEC on BC cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated a synergistic inhibitory effect of SEC and gemcitabine (GEM) on BC cells in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings suggest that SEC may exert anti-BC cell effect at least through the activation of p38 and JNK signaling pathways, and the inhibition of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. More meaningfully, the findings indicate that GEM-induced BC cell killing can be enhanced by combining with SEC.

Enhancing 3D DNA Walker-Induced CRISPR/Cas12a Technology for Highly Sensitive Detection of ExomicroRNA Associated with Osteoporosis.

Exosomal microRNAs (exomiRNAs) have emerged as promising biomarkers for the early clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis. However, their limited abundance and short length in peripheral blood present significant challenges for the accurate detection of exomiRNAs. Herein, we have designed and implemented an efficacious fluorescence-based biosensor for the highly sensitive detection of exomiRNA associated with osteoporosis, leveraging the enhancing 3D DNA walker-induced CRISPR/Cas12a technology. The engineered DNA walker is capable of efficiently transforming target exomiRNA into amplifying DNA strands, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of the developed biosensor. Concurrently, the liberated DNA strands serve as activators to trigger Cas12a trans-cleavage activity, culminating in a significantly amplified fluorescent signal for the highly sensitive detection of exomiRNA-214. Under optimal conditions, the devised technology demonstrated the capacity to detect target exomiRNA-214 at concentrations as low as 20.42 fM, encompassing a wide linear range extending from 50.0 fM to 10.0 nM. Moreover, the fluorescence-based biosensor could accurately differentiate between healthy individuals and osteoporosis patients via the detection of exomiRNA-214, which was in agreement with RT-qPCR results. As such, this biosensing technology offers promise as a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of osteoporosis.

The effects of Gli1 and Gli2 on BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Diseases, such as bone nonunion with bone defects, osteoporosis, etc, seriously endanger people's quality of life, and bone tissue engineering based on mesenchymal stem cells is an effective method to solve such problems. Several studies have shown that BMP9 can effectively promote osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Gli1 and Gli2 were important transcription factors and play an important role in the Hedgehog signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the role of Gli1 and Gli2 in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. We found that inhibition of Gli1 and Gli2 weakened BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, and early osteogenic markers (alkaline phosphatase, ALP), late osteogenic markers (calcium salt deposition), the expression of pivotal osteogenic markers were attenuated, and inhibition of Gli1 and Gli2 weakened the expression of p-Smad1/5/8 and p-p38 induced by BMP9. In conclusion, our study shows that Gli1 and Gli2 play an important role in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation.

Corrigendum to 'Alantolactone inhibits proliferation, metastasis and promotes apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells by suppressing Wnt/ß-catenin and MAPKs signaling pathways' [Genes & Diseases 9 (2022) 466-478].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.07.014.].

Echinatin inhibits the growth and metastasis of human osteosarcoma cells through Wnt/ß-catenin and p38 signaling pathways.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly aggressive malignant bone tumor that mainly occurs in adolescents. At present, chemotherapy is the most commonly used method in clinical practice to treat OS. However, due to drug resistance, toxicity and long-term side effects, chemotherapy can't always provide sufficient benefits for OS patients, especially those with metastasis and recurrence. Natural products have long been an excellent source of anti-tumor drug development. In the current study, we evaluated the anti-OS activity of Echinatin (Ecn), a natural active component from the roots and rhizomes of licorice, and explored the possible mechanism. We found that Ecn inhibited the proliferation of human OS cells and blocked cell cycle at S phase. In addition, Ecn suppressed the migration and invasion, while induced the apoptosis of human OS cells. However, Ecn had less cytotoxicity against normal cells. Moreover, Ecn inhibited the xenograft tumor growth of OS cells in vivo. Mechanistically, Ecn inactivated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway while activated p38 signaling pathway. ß-catenin over-expression and the p38 inhibitor SB203580 both attenuated the inhibitory effect of Ecn on OS cells. Notably, we demonstrated that Ecn exhibited synergistic inhibitory effect with cisplatin (DDP) on OS cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, our results suggest that Ecn may exert anti-OS effects at least partly through regulating Wnt/ß-catenin and p38 signaling pathways. Most meaningfully, the results obtained suggest a potential strategy to improve the DDP-induced tumor-killing effect on OS cells by combining with Ecn.

[Retracted] Hedgehog signaling is involved in the BMP9­induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Subsequently to the publication of the above paper, a concerned reader drew to the authors' attention that there were a number of overlapping data panels featured in the cellular images shown in Fig. 2C on p. 1644, and Figs. 3D and 4 on p. 1645, such that data that were allegedly obtained under different experimental conditions appeared to have been derived from some of the same original sources. Given the number of errors that had been made during the compilation of the figures in this article, the Editor of International Journal of Molecular Medicine has decided that this article should be retracted from the publication owing to a lack of overall confidence in the presented data. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience that might result from the retraction of this article. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 35: 1641­1650, 2015; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2015.2172].

Inhibition of Macropinocytosis Enhances the Sensitivity of Osteosarcoma Cells to Benzethonium Chloride.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant tumor of bone. Chemotherapy is one of the crucial approaches to prevent its metastasis and improve prognosis. Despite continuous improvements in the clinical treatment of OS, tumor resistance and metastasis remain dominant clinical challenges. Macropinocytosis, a form of non-selective nutrient endocytosis, has received increasing attention as a novel target for cancer therapy, yet its role in OS cells remains obscure. Benzethonium chloride (BZN) is an FDA-approved antiseptic and bactericide with broad-spectrum anticancer effects. Here, we described that BZN suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OS cells in vitro and in vivo, but simultaneously promoted the massive accumulation of cytoplasmic vacuoles as well. Mechanistically, BZN repressed the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and the ERK1/2 activator partially neutralized the inhibitory effect of BZN on OS cells. Subsequently, we demonstrated that vacuoles originated from macropinocytosis and indicated that OS cells might employ macropinocytosis as a compensatory survival mechanism in response to BZN. Remarkably, macropinocytosis inhibitors enhanced the anti-OS effect of BZN in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our results suggest that BZN may inhibit OS cells by repressing the ERK1/2 signaling pathway and propose a potential strategy to enhance the BZN-induced inhibitory effect by suppressing macropinocytosis.

TAZ promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells line C3H10T1/2, murine multi-lineage cells lines C2C12, and MEFs induced by BMP9.

Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9), also named as growth differentiation factor 2 (GDF-2), is the strongest cytokine that promotes osteogenic differentiation in the BMP family, and has broad clinical application value. Nevertheless, the mechanism of BMP9 promotes osteogenic differentiation remain unclear. TAZ, a transcriptional co-activator, has great effects on cell proliferation, differentiation, and stem cell self-renewal. In this research, we investigated the effects of TAZ in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2 (MSCs) and murine multi-lineage cell lines C2C12 and MEFs (MMCs) and explored its possible mechanisms. This study has found that BMP9 induces the expression of TAZ and promotes its nuclear translocation. Meanwhile, our study found that Ad-TAZ and TM-25659, a TAZ agonist, can enhance the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and MMCs induced by BMP9. Conversely, Ad-si-TAZ and verteporfin, an inhibitor of TAZ, have the contradictory effect. Likewise, the promotion of TAZ to the BMP9-induced ectopic bone formation in vivo was confirmed by the subcutaneous transplantation of MSCs in nude mice. Furthermore, we have detected that TAZ might increase the levels of the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK induced by BMP9. Additionally, we also found that TAZ increased the total protein level of ß-catenin induced by BMP9. In summary, our results strongly indicated that TAZ will promote the osteogenic differentiation in MSCs and MMCs induced by BMP9 through multiple signal pathways.

Hsa_circ_0002082 up-regulates Centromere Protein F via abolishing miR-508-3p to promote breast cancer progression.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) dysregulation has been revealed to function in the pathological processes of cancers. Herein, the role and mechanisms of hsa_circ_0002082 in breast cancer (BC) progression were elucidated. METHODS: In vivo and in vitro functional experiments were conducted, and the interaction between miR-508-3p and hsa_circ_0002082 or Centromere Protein F (CENPF) was elucidated. RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0002082 expression was higher in BC tissues and cell lines. Functionally, knockdown of hsa_circ_0002082 induced apoptosis and suppressed proliferation and metastasis in BC cells in vitro. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0002082 targeted miR-508-3p, which was confirmed to be decreased in BC. MiR-508-3p overexpression suppressed BC cell malignant phenotypes, moreover, inhibition of miR-508-3p attenuated the anticancer action of hsa_circ_0002082 silencing on BC cells. Besides that, miR-508-3p targeted CENPF, CENPF was highly expressed in BC, CENPF up-regulation reversed the suppressive impacts of miR-508-3p on BC cell growth and metastasis. Besides, hsa_circ_0002082 silencing impeded BC growth in nude mice. CONCLUSION: Knockdown of hsa_circ_0002082 suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis by miR-508-3p/CENPF axis, suggesting that hsa_circ_0002082 may be a promising target for breast cancer treatment.

Andrographolide inhibits the growth of human osteosarcoma cells by suppressing Wnt/ß-catenin, PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive malignant skeletal tumor characterized by an extremely poor prognosis and a high tendency to recur. The frequently used anti-OS chemotherapy regents are often limited by drug resistance and severe adverse events. It is urgent to develop more effective, tolerable and safe drugs for the treatment of OS. Andrographolide (AG), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from Andrographis paniculata, has been proved to possess anti-tumor activity against several human cancer types. In this current study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of AG on human OS cells and probed the possible mechanism. We found that AG inhibited the proliferation of human OS cells and blocked cell cycle at G2/M phase. Furthermore, AG impeded the migration and invasion, while promoted the apoptosis of human OS cells. Moreover, we found that AG inhibited OS growth and lung metastasis in orthotopic transplantation model. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that AG suppressed the activity of Wnt/ß-catenin, PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways. Notably, we validated that AG synergized with the inhibitors of Wnt/ß-catenin, PI3K/AKT and NF-κB to suppress the proliferation, migration and invasion of human OS cells. Collectively, our study conclusively demonstrates that AG inhibits the growth of human OS cells, thus, may be a promising candidate for the treatment of OS.

Nitazoxanide inhibits osteosarcoma cells growth and metastasis by suppressing AKT/mTOR and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathways.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor with poor prognosis. Developing new drugs for the chemotherapy of OS has been a focal point and a major obstacle of OS treatment. Nitazoxanide (NTZ), a conventional anti-parasitic agent, has got increasingly noticed because of its favorable antitumor potential. Herein, we investigated the effect of NTZ on human OS cells in vitro and in vivo. The results obtained in vitro showed that NTZ inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion, arrested cell cycle at G1 phase, while induced apoptosis of OS cells. Mechanistically, NTZ suppressed the activity of AKT/mTOR and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathways of OS cells. Consistent with the results in vitro, orthotopic implantation model of 143B OS cells further confirmed that NTZ inhibited OS cells growth and lung metastasis in vivo. Notably, NTZ caused no apparent damage to normal cells/tissues. In conclusion, NTZ may inhibit tumor growth and metastasis of human OS cells through suppressing AKT/mTOR and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathways.

Alantolactone inhibits proliferation, metastasis and promotes apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells by suppressing Wnt/ß-catenin and MAPKs signaling pathways.

Although there are many therapeutic strategies such as surgery and chemotherapy, the prognosis of osteosarcoma (OS) is still far from being satisfactory. It is urgent to develop more effective, tolerable and safe drugs for the treatment of OS. In the present study, we investigated the anti-OS activity of Alantolactone (ALT), a natural eucalyptone sesquiterpene lactone mainly exists in Inula helenium, and probed the possible mechanism involved. We demonstrated that ALT significantly inhibited cell proliferation of various human OS cell lines while had relative lower cytotoxicity against normal cells. Then, we validated that ALT reduced migration, decreased invasion possibly through reversing epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and suppressing Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Moreover, we confirmed that ALT promoted apoptosis and arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase of human OS cells in vitro. In addition, we confirmed that ALT restrained tumor growth and metastasis of OS 143 cells in a xenograft model in vivo. Mechanistically, ALT inhibited the activity of Wnt/ß-catenin and p38, ERK1/2 and JNK Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) signal pathway. Notably, the combination of ALT and Wnt/ß-catenin inhibitor, as well as the combination of ALT and MAPKs inhibitors resulted in a synergistically effect on inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of OS cells. Collectively, our results validate the ALT may inhibit proliferation, metastasis and promotes apoptosis of human OS cells possibly through suppressing Wnt/ß-Catenin and MAPKs signaling pathways.

Schisandrin B suppresses osteosarcoma lung metastasis in vivo by inhibiting the activation of the Wnt/ß­catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common malignant bone tumor worldwide and is associated with a poor prognosis, often being accompanied by lung metastasis at an early stage. At present, there are several side­effects associated with the OS clinical treatment of OS, with the treatment effects often being unsatisfactory. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of safe and effective novel drugs for the treatment of OS. Schisandrin B (Sch B) has been previously demonstrated to exhibit antitumor properties. The present study was focused on the effects of Sch B on OS cells (143B, MG63, Saos2 and U2OS) in vitro and in vivo, and also on its possible antitumor mechanisms. In cell experiments, it was revealed that Sch B inhibited OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and increased OS cell apoptosis. As regards its biosafety, no notable effects of Sch B on the vitality of normal cells were observed. Mechanistically, it was demonstrated that Sch B blocked OS cell proliferation in the G1 phase. Subsequently, by using established animal models, it was revealed that Sch B significantly inhibited OS growth and lung metastasis in vivo. In summary, the results of the present study revealed that Sch B inhibited OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis via the inhibition of the Wnt/ß­catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, without causing any noticeable toxic effects on healthy cells at the therapeutic concentrations used. These findings suggest that Sch B has potential for use as a novel agent for the clinical treatment of OS.

Erratum to: Biphasic effects of TGFß1 on BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

[Erratum to: BMB Reports 2012; 45(9): 509-514, PMID: 23010171] The BMB Reports would like to correct in the Figure 2 of BMB Rep. 2012; 45(9): 509-514 titled "Biphasic effects of TGFß1 on BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells." The original version of this article unfortunately contained image assembling error in the Figure 2. The image for "GFP-Day13" group was inadvertently duplicated from that for "BT20-Day 5" group, and an incorrect image was used for "GFP-Day 17" group. This article has been updated to correct this error in Figure 2.

Lycorine inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and primarily exerts in vitro cytostatic effects in human colorectal cancer via activating the ROS/p38 and AKT signaling pathways.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a life­threatening malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Diverse gene mutations and complicated alterations to the signaling pathways in CRC lead to heterogeneity in response to chemotherapy. Moreover, anticancer drugs for CRC chemotherapy are limited due to adverse events. Therefore, developing more effective, tolerable and safe drugs for the treatment of CRC is important. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of lycorine on human CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, as well as the underlying molecular mechanism. The crystal violet staining and MTT assay results demonstrated that lycorine suppressed cell proliferation in a dose­ and time­dependent manner in the three CRC cell lines, HCT116, LoVo and SW480. Similarly, verified by performing wound healing and Transwell assays, lycorine significantly inhibited HCT116 and LoVo cell migration and invasion in vitro compared with the control group. In LoVo cells, the protein expression levels of matrix metallopeptidases, snail family transcriptional repressor 1, Vimentin and N­cadherin were significantly downregulated, whereas the protein expression levels of E­cadherin were significantly upregulated by lycorine treatment compared with the control group. The Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry assay results indicated that lycorine mediated its cytostatic effect on CRC cells potentially via inducing cell cycle arrest, but not apoptosis. Compared with the control group, lycorine significantly induced HCT116 cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, but significantly induced LoVo cell cycle arrest at the S and G2/M phases. Furthermore, lycorine significantly downregulated the protein expression levels of cyclin D1 and cyclin E1, but significantly increased p21 and Smad4 protein expression levels in HCT116 and LoVo cells compared with the control group. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement results also indicated that compared with the control group, lycorine significantly induced ROS accumulation, and increased phosphorylated­p38 expression levels and AKT phosphorylation. Collectively, the present study suggested that lycorine might induce cell cycle arrest and exert cytostatic effects potentially via activating ROS/p38 and AKT signaling pathways in CRC cells.

Cardamonin inhibits the growth of human osteosarcoma cells through activating P38 and JNK signaling pathway.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of bone malignant tumors. Clinical commonly used therapeutic drugs of OS treatment are prone to toxic and side effects, so it is very urgent to develop new drugs with low toxicity and low side effects. As a Chinese herbal medicine, Cardamonin (CAR) (C16H14O4) has inhibitory effects in various tumors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CAR on OS cells in vitro and in vivo. We found that CAR inhibited cell proliferation, reduced migration, decreased invasion, and induced G2 / M arrest of OS cells. Notably, we demonstrated that CAR had no obvious effect on proliferation and apoptosis of normal cells. Besides, CAR repressed tumor growth of OS cells in xenograft mouse model. Mechanically, we found that CAR increased the phosphorylation level of P38 and JNK. In summary, our research validates that CAR may inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OS and promote apoptosis possibly by activating P38 and JNK Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.

Cinnamaldehyde Inhibits the Function of Osteosarcoma by Suppressing the Wnt/ß-Catenin and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathways.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary bone tumor associated with locally aggressive growth and early metastatic potential that typically occurs in children and adolescents. Chinese traditional medicine Cinnamomum cassia Presl has been shown to have significant tumor-killing effect, in which cinnamaldehyde (CA) is the main active ingredient. PURPOSE: To explore the anticancer effect of CA on the osteosarcoma cells and the possible molecular mechanism. METHODS: Crystal violet assay, MTT assay and colony-forming assay were used to confirm the inhibitory role of CA in the proliferation of 143B and MG63 osteosarcoma cells. Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry were used to observe apoptosis. The migration and invasion role of OS cells were evaluated using transwell assays and wound healing assays. Western blotting was used to analyse the protein expression levels. Nude mice were inoculated with 143B cells to establish an orthotopic OS tumor animal model and to investigate the effects of CA on OS tumors. RESULTS: According to crystal violet assay, MTT assay and colony-forming assay, CA significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry analysis showed that CA-induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, transwell assays and wound healing assays showed that CA inhibited the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. In vivo mouse models, CA inhibited the growth of osteosarcoma. The potential mechanisms could be that CA inhibited the transcriptional activity of Wnt/ß-catenin and PI3K/Akt of the osteosarcoma. CONCLUSION: CA may inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion and promote apoptosis of OS cells by inhibiting Wnt/ß-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. CA may be a potentially effective anti-tumor drug.

Lycorine inhibits tumor growth of human osteosarcoma cells by blocking Wnt/ß-catenin, ERK1/2/MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of primary bone cancer. Even with advances in early diagnosis and aggressive treatment, the overall prognosis for OS remains to be further elevated. Lycorine was an isoquinoline alkaloid mainly existed in the bulb of lyco salvia miltiorrhiza and was shown to inhibit several types of cancer. In the present study, we investigated the anti-OS activity of lycorine and the possible underlying mechanism. We found that lycorine inhibited cell proliferation of human OS cells while had lower cytotoxcity against normal cells, and triggered cell cycle arrest at the G1/S transition. Moreover, we validated that lycorine promoted apoptosis via death receptor pathway and mitochondrial pathway, suppressed migration and invasion by reversing epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and suppressing the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro. In addition, orthotopic implantation model of 143B OS cells further confirmed that lycorine suppressed OS growth and lung metastasis in vivo. Mechanically, lycorine reduced the protein level of ß-catenin and its' downstream molecule c-Myc. Furthermore, lycorine also decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT. Together, our results reveal that lycorine may inhibit tumor growth of OS cells possibly through suppressing Wnt/ß-catenin, ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.