Background:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common
cancers, with high
metastasis and mortality.
Licochalcone A (LCA) is a chalconoid from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata, which has anti-
tumor, anti-inflammatory,
anti-angiogenesis effects in many
cancers. However, the mechanism that underlies LCA regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in OSCC remains poorly understood. Methods:
LY294002 or
insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were used to block or stimulate the
phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/
protein kinase B (AKT) pathway in OSCC cells. Cell proliferation was investigated by MTT assay and
proliferating cell nuclear antigen (
PCNA)
protein level using Western blot. The expression of
metastasis-related
protein was detected via Western blot. Cell migration and invasion abilities were evaluated by trans-well assay. A murine xenograft model of OSCC was established to investigate the anti-
tumor effect of LCA in vivo. Results: Treatment of LCA inhibited cell proliferation in SCC4 and CAL-27 cells. Moreover, PI3K/AKT signaling was blocked by
LY294002, and activated by
IGF-1. LCA could suppress proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells, which was similar to the treatment of
LY294002. In addition, LCA decreased IGF-1-induced OSCC progression. In a murine xenograft model, LCA treatment protected against
tumor growth and
metastasis in vivo. Conclusions: LCA might inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway in OSCC, developing a potential chemotherapeutic agent for OSCC.