The Effect of Cucumis melo L. Ethanol Extract on the Malignant Biological Behavior of Hepatocarcinoma Cell Hep3B by Regulating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

This article was to explore the effect of Cucumis melo L. ethanol extract on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cell Hep3B and its molecular mechanism. Hep3B liver cancer cells were divided into NC group, different concentrations of Cucumis melo L. ethanol extract (1.0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 μg/mL) group, LiCl group, 20.0 μg/mL Cucumis melo L. ethanol extract + LiCl group. CCK-8 method was used to detect cell viability; clone formation experiment was used to detect the number of Hep3B cell clone formation; flow cytometry was used to detect Hep3B cell apoptosis; Western blot was used to detect protein expression; Transwell was used to detect Hep3B cell migration and invasion number. After treating Hep3B cells with different concentrations of Cucumis melo L. ethanol extract, Hep3B cell activity was decreased, the number of clones and the number of migration and invasion were decreased, the Hep3B cell apoptosis rate was increased, the expression level of Cleaved-caspase-3 was increased, pro-caspase-3, MMP2 and MMP9 expression levels were decreased,and the protein expression levels of Wnt3a, cyclinD1, c-myc and nuclear β-catenin decreased, while the protein expression levels of APC and plasma β-catenin increased (P<0.05). Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activator LiCl can reverse the effects of Cucumis melo L. ethanol extract on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of Hep3B cells. Cucumis melo L. ethanol extract inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells and promotes cell apoptosis by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2022.11.0004