Asiaticoside inhibits breast cancer progression and tumor angiogenesis via YAP1/VEGFA signal pathway

• Published in: Heliyon 2024-09, Vol.10 (18), p.e37169, Article e37169
• Main Authors: Guo, Mengmeng, Ying, Yu, Chen, Yun, Miao, Xian, Yu, Zhenghong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asiaticoside; Breast cancer; YAP1/VEGFA
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37169

Breast cancer poses a major health risk to millions of females globally. Asiaticoside (AC) is a naturally occurring compound derived from Centella asiatica, a widely used medicinal plant in the oriental countries and has potential antitumor properties. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of synthesized AC at the cellular level and assess its ability to inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis in breast cancer. The proliferative capacities of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were determined using CCK-8 assay. To analyze invasion and migration, Transwell assays were conducted on the same cell lines. Additionally, apoptosis was analyzed in vitro using flow cytometry. Real-time RT-PCR was used to examine mRNA expression, and Western-blotting assay was employed to examine protein expression. Subcutaneous injection of MDA-MB-231 cells into female BALB/c nude mice was followed by treatment with AC to study its anti-tumor effects in vivo. AC treatment reduced cell proliferation and triggered apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The invasive and pro-angiogenesis ability were also impaired upon AC treatment. AC administration also impeded the tumor growth and tumor-associated angiogenesis of MDA-MB-231 cells in nude mice, which was accompanied by the decreased levels of YAP1 and VEGFA. Taken together, our results demonstrated the anti-cancer activity of AC in breast cancer. AC is able to suppress the malignancy of breast cancercells via YAP1/VEGFA signal pathway. •AC reduces the pro-angiogenic effect of breast cancer cells on HUVECs.•AC down-regulates the YAP1/VEGF signaling axis in breast cancer cells.•AC inhibits tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of breast cancer cells in nude mice.