Simvastatin inhibits proliferation and migration, promotes oxidative stress and ferroptosis in colon cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality, with limited therapeutic options for advanced stages. Simvastatin, primarily used to lower cholesterol, has shown potential as an anticancer agent. It may exert its effects by inhibiting SERPINE1, a protein implicated in CRC progression, and activating the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G (cGMP/PKG) signaling pathway. Given these findings, this study hypothesizes that simvastatin inhibits CRC cell proliferation and migration by downregulating SERPINE1 and activating the cGMP/PKG pathway, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for CRC management. To study the effects of simvastatin on the function of colon cancer cells and to uncover the underlying mechanisms. NCM460, HCT-116, and SW620 cell lines were used for in vitro experiments with simvastatin at doses of 20 μM, 40 μM, and 80 μM. The Stitch database was used to analyze the target genes of simvastatin, whereas STRING was used to investigate SERPINE1 and its related pathways. HCT-116 and SW620 cells were transfected with single-cell RNA sequencing reveals SERPINE1 with or without Rp-8-Br-cGMP (a PKG inhibitor). Cell toxicity, proliferation, and migration were evaluated using the cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays, respectively. Apoptosis was analyzed via flow cytometry, and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous ion (Fe2+) were detected using commercial kits. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to analyze gene expression. Simvastatin dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCT-116 and SW620 cells while promoting apoptosis. It downregulated Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, MMP2, and MMP9, and upregulated Bax, particularly at higher doses. Simvastatin increased the ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels while decreasing the GSH levels. It downregulated SLC7A11 and ferroportin and upregulated TRF1. SERPINE1 was identified as a core target, with related genes enriched in the cGMP/PKG pathway. SERPINE1 knockdown increased GUCY1B1 and PRKG1 levels, decreased cell viability, and altered oxidative stress markers, with the effects being reversed by Rp-8-Br-cGMP. Simvastatin effectively inhibited the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells and promoted apoptosis through the modulation of key targets, such as SERPINE1 and the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway.