Sinomenine sensitizes multidrug-resistant colon cancer cells (Caco-2) to doxorubicin by downregulation of MDR-1 expression

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 5;9(6):e98560. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098560. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Chemoresistance in multidrug-resistant (MDR) cells over expressing P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the MDR1 gene, is a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Previous studies have indicated that sinomenine can enhance the absorption of various P-gp substrates. In the present study, we investigated the effect of sinomenine on the chemoresistance in colon cancer cells and explored the underlying mechanism. We developed multidrug-resistant Caco-2 (MDR-Caco-2) cells by exposure of Caco-2 cells to increasing concentrations of doxorubicin. We identified overexpression of COX-2 and MDR-1 genes as well as activation of the NF-κB signal pathway in MDR-Caco-2 cells. Importantly, we found that sinomenine enhances the sensitivity of MDR-Caco-2 cells towards doxorubicin by downregulating MDR-1 and COX-2 expression through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings provide a new potential strategy for the reversal of P-gp-mediated anticancer drug resistance.

Publication types

  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics*
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / pharmacology*
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Celecoxib
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / genetics*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Morphinans / pharmacology*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Morphinans
  • NF-kappa B
  • Pyrazoles
  • Sulfonamides
  • sinomenine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Celecoxib
  • Dinoprostone

Grants and funding

The authors have no funding or support to report.