Andrographolide prevents human breast cancer-induced osteoclastic bone loss via attenuated RANKL signaling

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014 Feb;144(1):33-45. doi: 10.1007/s10549-014-2844-7. Epub 2014 Jan 31.

Abstract

Bone metastasis is a common and serious complication in advanced cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma. Agents that prevent bone loss could be used to develop an alternative therapy for bone metastasis. RANKL, a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, has been shown to play a significant role in cancer-associated bone loss. In this study, we examined the efficacy of the natural compound andrographolide (AP), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from the traditional Chinese and Indian medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata, in reducing breast cancer-induced osteolysis. AP prevented human breast cancer-induced bone loss by suppressing RANKL-mediated and human breast cancer cell-induced osteoclast differentiation. Molecular analysis revealed that AP prevented osteoclast function by inhibiting RANKL-induced NF-κB and ERK signaling pathway in lower dose (20 μM), as well as inducing apoptosis at higher dose (40 μM). Thus, AP is a potent inhibitor of breast cancer-induced bone metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Blotting, Western
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Bone Resorption / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Osteoclasts / cytology
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects
  • RANK Ligand / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Diterpenes
  • RANK Ligand
  • TNFSF11 protein, human
  • andrographolide