Bruceine D inhibits energy metabolism in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Objective To investigate the effect of bruceine D on energy metabolism in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and its mechanism.

Methods MTT assay was used to detect the effect of bruceine D on cell viability.Glucose consumption, lactate production, ATP content and activities of hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined by kits.Western blotting was used to analyze the effect of bruceine D on the expression of PI3K, Akt and p-Akt protein.

Results Bruceine D inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells at a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.01).Compared with the control group, bruceine D (1, 2, 4 μmol/L) could reduce the ATP content, glucose consumption, lactate production, and the activities of HK, PFK, PK and LDH in MDA-MB-231 cells (P<0.05);2, 4 μmol/L bruceine D could inhibit the expression of PI3K and p-Akt protein in MDA-MB-231 cells (P<0.05).

Conclusions Bruceine D inhibits the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, then suppresses the aerobic glycolysis and reduces cells' energy supply.