Beta-Elemene Inhibits Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Migration And Invasion By Inactivating The Fak-Src Pathway

Despite sustained effort, the prognosis of lung cancer remains poor and the therapeutic responses are limited. Cell movement ability is a prerequisite for lung cancer metastasis, which involves focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-mediated cell migration and invasion via complex formation with Src. Hence, FAK-Src signaling might be an effective target for anti-cancer treatment. beta-elemene, the major component of elemene extracted from Curcuma Rhizoma, exhibits broad-spectrum anti-tumor properties. However, the role of beta-elemene in lung cancer cell motility and its possible mechanism remain unknown. Herein, the role of beta-elemene in the migration and invasion of two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines was investigated by performing wound-healing and Transwell assays. The mRNA expression levels of genes associated with motility, including RhoA, Rac1, Cac42, matrix metalloprotease (MMP)2 and MMP9, were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To determine whether beta-elemene acts through FAK-Src signaling, western blotting was performed and the levels of phosphorylated FAK and Src were detected. The results indicated that beta-elemene inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 and NCI-H1299 (H1299) cells, while the motility-associated genes were de-regulated following exposure to beta-elemene. Furthermore, beta-elemene decreased the activity of FAK and Src. Overall, these results suggest that beta-elemene potentially inhibits NSCLC through FAK-Src signaling.