<p>Oxymatrine Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion of Breast Cancer Cells via the PI3K Pathway</p>
Authors: Lin Guo
Tengfei Yang
Journal: Cancer Management and Research (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: PI3K/Akt; apoptosis; breast cancer; invasion; oxymatrine
Affiliations: Department of Gastrointestinal and Nutriology Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, LiaoNing 110004, People's Republic of China., The Department of Social Service, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, LiaoNing 110004, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Purpose: Oxymatrine has been reported to possess anti-cancer activity, but its role in breast cancer (BC) is weakly defined. We investigated the anti-cancer effects of oxymatrine in human BC cells, and the underlying molecular mechanisms of these effects. Methods: BC lines were treated with oxymatrine. The MTT assay was conducted to evaluate cell viability. The cell cycle and apoptosis of BC cells were analyzed using flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining. Transwell™ assays were undertaken to measure the migratory and invasive abilities of MCF-7 or MDA-MB-231 cells. Expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, cyclin D1, cluster of differentiation (CD)K2, PARP, Gsk3β, caspase-3, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and Bax at protein and RNA levels was measured by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Oxymatrine inhibited the proliferation of BC cells in a time-dependent manner. It induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent way according to Annexin V and Hoechst 33258 staining. Oxymatrine could inhibit the invasion of BC cells as shown by the Transwell assay. Oxymatrine inhibited expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 while increasing that of Bax as well as increasing expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Addition of oxymatrine to BC cells attenuated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway cascade, as evidenced by dephosphorylation of P13K and Akt. Conclusion: Oxymatrine exerts its anti-tumor effects in BC cells by abolishing the PI3K pathway. Oxymatrine may be a new compound for BC treatment. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 In Figure 4, four micrographs have been duplicated and presented as something else. This paper is dead. ![file] , 
 Retracted [2 August 2022] . ----------------------- At the authors request, the Editor and Publisher of Cancer Management and Research wish to retract the published article. The authors raised concerns that several migration and invasion images in Figure 4 had been duplicated. Specifically, - Figure 4A, MCF-7, 30 u00b5M appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 4B, MCF-7, 30 u00b5M. - Figure 4B, MCF-7, DMSO appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 4B, MCF-7, 10 u00b5M. - Figure 4C, MDA-MB-231, DMSO appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 4D, MDA-MB-231, 30 u00b5M. - Figure 4C, MDA-MB-231, 10 u00b5M appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 4C, MDA-MB-231, 30 u00b5M; Figure 4D, MDA-MB-231, DMSO and Figure 4D, MDA-MB-231, 10 u00b5M. The authors were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for how the images came to be duplicated, nor were they able to provide the original data for their study. The Editor agreed with the authors request to retract the article. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u201cRetractedu201d. , 
 When we check our article, we found that parts of the images in the migration and invasion assays overlap. u00a0 We actively communicate with the editors of the journal. We inform the editor of the issues that in Figures 4b,c,d in the manuscript, Oxymatrine Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion of Breast Cancer Cells via the PI3K Pathway(Cancer Manag Res. 2019 Dec 13;11:10499-10508. doi: 10.2147 CMAR.S221950). u00a0 u00a0 The issues were due to the authors accidentally inserting the images that the partial field of view overlapped.We checked the original data throughout and found that parts of raw images were placed together without labeling them accurately.The authors selected the images in which cell clusters were clear and the numbers could be precisely counted. During the selection, some images were inappropriately presented. u00a0 We checked the original data,the results gained from the repeat experiments and the three independent visual fields indicated significant differences in migration and invasion capacity.The results were in line with those in the manuscript. u00a0 We provided editor with all the migration and invasion cell images that were collected for Figure 4 as well as all the western blot images that were collected for this study. Although, the issues of images overlap have little effect on the conclusion and interpretation ofu00a0the study.With a rigorous scientific research attitude, we decided to retractu00a0the manuscript. After communicating with the editor, the editor agreed to our retract application Once again, we would like to thank the editors for their hard work. Lin Guo ,