Dioscin inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cells and activates apoptosis by downregulation of Survivin.

Human malignancies exhibit elevated levels of survivin, and have been linked to poor prognosis. Targeting survivin expression is a promising therapeutic strategy against cancer cells. Natural compounds have become a hot topic in research due to their non-toxic, non-invasive, and efficient treatment of multiple diseases. In this current investigation, it was discovered that Dioscin, as a natural compound, exerted profound antitumor activity against NSCLC cell lines, inhibiting NSCLC cell viability and promoting apoptosis. Further mechanistic studies showed that Dioscin promoted ubiquitination-mediated survivin degradation via strengthening the interaction between survivin and the E3 ubiquitin ligase Fbxl7. Furthermore, Dioscin exhibited a strong tumor suppressive effect in xenograft tumor models, and Dioscin treatment led to a notable decrease in tumor volume and weight. Based on our findings, Dioscin is expected to be a potential antitumor agent for non-small cell lung cancer treatment.