Berberine Combined with Cisplatin Promotes Apoptosis of NSCLC Cells

Abstract

Background: Growing evidence supports the pivotal role of berberine in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its ability to confer cisplatin resistance in NSCLC. This study aimed to investigate the impact of berberine on NSCLC cells. Methods: A549 and H1299 cells were selected as the subjects of this study, and cisplatin-resistant cell lines were established. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) was utilized to assess cell vitality, while cell apoptosis was quantified through the TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling) test. The influence of berberine on cell proliferation was examined using a colony formation test and EdU (5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine). Western blotting was employed to identify the effects of cisplatin and berberine on the expression levels of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway. Results: The results indicate that 40 μm berberine significantly decreased the activity of NSCLC cells, without significantly affecting the activity of normal cells (Human Normal Lung Epithelial Cells, BEAS-2B). Berberine reduced the growth of A549 and H1299 cells and accelerated cell apoptosis. Furthermore, experimental data revealed that berberine could attenuate the resistance of NSCLC cells to cisplatin. Cisplatin-resistant cell lines of A549 and H1299 were established, showing that 15 μm cisplatin had no noticeable impact on the proliferation and apoptosis rates of drug-resistant cell lines. However, co-treatment with berberine and 15 μm cisplatin significantly reduced the proliferation of the drug-resistant cell lines and increased apoptosis rates. Western blot results indicated that drug-resistant cells treated with cisplatin had lower phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT than the control group. However, a substantial decrease in PI3K and AKT phosphorylation levels was observed when drug-resistant cells were co-treated with berberine. Conclusion: Berberine effectively suppressed the proliferation of NSCLC cells and, when combined with cisplatin, induced apoptosis in these cells.