Kaempferol Promotes Lung Cancer Cell Autophagy

Abstract

Autophagy is a cellular process involved in the degradation and recycling of cellular components, and it plays a complex role in cancer. In the context of lung cancer, including lung cell cancer, the relationship between autophagy and cancer is multifaceted and can vary depending on the specific circumstances. Wang and colleagues investigated the molecular mechanism by which kaempferol (from Hedyotis diffusa) promotes autophagy in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) cells. Their results suggest that kaempferol significantly inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation. Kaempferol also caused NSCLC cell death by promoting NSCLC cell autophagy. Their experiments reveal that both protein and mRNA expression of Met was significantly inhibited. They also observed the inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. These results were validated by the overexpression of Met which resulted in the reversal of kaempferol effects on NSCLC cell viability and cell autophagy. They concluded that Kaempferol exerts its anti-NSCLC effect by promoting NSCLC cell autophagy which involves Met and its downstream PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Phytomedicine. 2023 Dec:121:155090.  doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155090.