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1- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
2- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran ,iraj.rashidi@kums.ac.ir
3- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
2- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran ,
3- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Abstract: (22 Views)
Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is recognized as the most aggressive form of primary brain tumor and is distinguished by extensive invasion into surrounding brain tissue. Due to the limited efficacy of current therapeutic approaches, the identification of novel compounds capable of suppressing GBM progression is of considerable interest. Taraxasterol is a pentacyclic triterpene that has been extracted from Taraxacum officinale, , has demonstrated anticancer activity in several tumor models. This study investigated the effects of taraxasterol on the migration, invasion, and adhesion of human glioblastoma U87MG cells and evaluated its impact on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression.
Methods: U87MG cells underwent treatment with escalating concentrations of taraxasterol (1–128 μM) over periods of 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell viability was assessed using MTT, trypan blue exclusion, and LDH release assays. Cell migration, invasion, and adhesion were evaluated using wound-healing, Transwell, and adhesion assays, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were quantified by real-time PCR.
Results: Taraxasterol significantly reduced U87MG cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment at the IC50 concentration markedly inhibited cell migration (~70%), invasion (>55%), and adhesion (~25%) compared with untreated controls (p < 0.05). Furthermore, taraxasterol significantly downregulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression levels, reducing their expression to approximately 25% and 30% of control values, respectively (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Taraxasterol effectively suppresses the migratory, invasive, and adhesive properties of glioblastoma cells, potentially through downregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. So, taraxasterol may represent a promising candidate for the development of adjunctive therapeutic strategies targeting glioblastoma invasiveness.
Methods: U87MG cells underwent treatment with escalating concentrations of taraxasterol (1–128 μM) over periods of 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell viability was assessed using MTT, trypan blue exclusion, and LDH release assays. Cell migration, invasion, and adhesion were evaluated using wound-healing, Transwell, and adhesion assays, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were quantified by real-time PCR.
Results: Taraxasterol significantly reduced U87MG cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment at the IC50 concentration markedly inhibited cell migration (~70%), invasion (>55%), and adhesion (~25%) compared with untreated controls (p < 0.05). Furthermore, taraxasterol significantly downregulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression levels, reducing their expression to approximately 25% and 30% of control values, respectively (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Taraxasterol effectively suppresses the migratory, invasive, and adhesive properties of glioblastoma cells, potentially through downregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. So, taraxasterol may represent a promising candidate for the development of adjunctive therapeutic strategies targeting glioblastoma invasiveness.
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Life Science
Received: 2025/10/16 | Accepted: 2026/08/16
Received: 2025/10/16 | Accepted: 2026/08/16
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