Chrysotoxine regulates Ferroptosis and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to prevent cervical cancer.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Dendrobium (commonly known as Shihu in China), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb recognized in the Pharmacopoeia of China (2020 edition), boasts a rich history of medicinal application. Extensive research has been conducted on its Chinese medicinal prescription due to its demonstrated anti-tumour effects in clinical settings. Dendrobium is comprised of a diverse range of chemical compounds, notably the Bibenzyls, Erianin, and Gigantol, which have exhibited significant inhibitory and therapeutic effects on cervical cancer, thereby suggesting potential therapeutic value. However, the comprehensive investigation of Chrysotoxine, a naturally occurring active ingredient of Bibenzyls in Dendrobium, remains incomplete in treatment of cervical cancer.

Aims of the study: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation of Chrysotoxine and its regulatory impact on ferroptosis in cervical cancer.

Materials and methods: Initially, the effects of chrysotoxine on the cervical cancer cell line HeLa were assessed using CCK-8, transwell, colony formation, and flow cytometry to evaluate cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis. Subsequently, network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were employed to identify the molecular targets of chrysotoxine in cervical cancer. Finally, confocal microscopy assessed the expression levels of ROS and lipid compounds in response to chrysotoxine treatment, and the influence of chrysotoxine on signaling pathways was investigated using western blot analysis, guided by KEGG pathway analysis.

Results: Our cell-based experiments revealed that CTX effectively suppresses the cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis in CC. Subsequently, we comprehensively analyzed that HSP90AA1, ESR1, PIK3CA, mTOR and MAPK1 may be the possible targets of CTX in CC by combining network pharmacology with molecular docking techniques. Finally, we observed that CTX enhances the production of intracellular ROS and excessive lipid peroxides. Simultaneously, we detected that CTX promotes ferroptosis-based p53/GPX4/SLC7A11 pathway and inhibits PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway-induced cell death of CC by western blot.

Conclusion: Our study indicates that chrysotoxine shows promise as a novel medication for treating CC. The findings provide a scientific foundation for the regulation of cervical cancer by chrysotoxine, presenting new insights into the application of traditional Chinese medicine for fighting CC.