Induction of apoptosis by magnolol via the mitochondrial pathway and cell cycle arrest in renal carcinoma cells
Authors: Haiyan Wen
Siqi Zhou
Jinchun Song
Journal: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Apoptosis; Cell cycle; Magnolol; Mitochondria; Renal carcinoma cells.
Affiliations: Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China., Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China., Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Magnolol (Mag), an effective natural compound isolated from the stem bark of Magnolia officinalis, was found to have the potential for antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. However, the effect of Mag on renal carcinoma cells and its molecular mechanism are unexplored. Our study provided evidence that Mag induced apoptosis in 786-O and OS-RC-2 cell lines via the mitochondrial pathway and cell cycle arrest. In this work, we found that Mag induced morphological changes and inhibited the proliferation of 786-O and OS-RC-2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner but exerted no notable inhibitory effects on normal human renal proximal tubular (HK-2) cells. Treatment with Mag suppressed the migration and invasion ability of renal carcinoma cells. Moreover, Mag caused the openness of mPTP, the accumulation of intracellular ROS and decreased △Ψm, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) reversed the apoptosis induced by Mag and decreased the generation of ROS. In addition, the increased proportion of the G1/G0 phase indicated that Mag caused cell cycle arrest. Further analyses suggested that magnolol-induced apoptosis was related to the abnormal expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c and caspase activation. Together, the results above revealed that Mag had antitumor effects in renal carcinoma cells via ROS production as well as cell cycle arrest and the apoptotic mitochondrial pathway was suppressed in part by NAC. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 3C flow cytometry. Two of the plots share several groups of dots. Superimposing a 50% transparent color-inverted 15um plot over the control resulted perfect cancellation for these several groups of dots. ![file] The original figure 3. ![file] , 
 Figure 5D has multiple bands (indicated by red arrows) having the feature of  blobs drawn on a featureless flat gray background , as described by Smut Clyde in one of his reports. This feature of blots has also been described by Dr. Bik in her blog. Both point this feature to a group of mass produced papers. ![file] , 
 #2 Figure 2C the same issue. It would be helpful if the authors can post their original blot images. ![file] , 
 #1 Thank you for your comments. You circled total ten dots between the two plots of flow cytometry but these dots almost have no effect on the determining results. We have added triple duplicate data of this flow cytometry assay, thank you again.![file] , 
 #2 Thank you for your comments. We must state that it is not a group of mass-produced papers. We use the gray background in order to facilitate observation. If you need, we will provide original blot images for you. Thank you again. ,