Wogonin inhibits hepatoma cell proliferation by targeting miR‐27b‐5p/YWHAZ axis

Abstract Wogonin (5,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐methoxyflavone), a natural flavonoid compound in herbal plants, can suppress growth in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles that are influenced by wogonin have not been thoroughly described. To explore the novel miRNAs and the biological mechanism underlying the effect of wogonin on HCC cells. The effect of wogonin on Huh7 cell growth was assessed both in vitro and in vivo. The expression profiles of miRNAs were obtained by small RNA sequencing. Luciferase reporter experiment and bioinformatics analysis were conducted to determine whether tyrosine 3‐monooxygenase/tryptophan 5‐monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ) can bind to miR‐27b‐5p. Effects of the ectopic expression of YWHAZ and miR‐27b‐5p on Huh7 cells proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated. Furthermore, the cell cycle, apoptosis and multiple signaling pathway‐related molecules were detected by Western blot analysis. Wogonin substantially inhibited the growth of Huh7 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Seventy miRNAs exhibited greater than twofold changes in wogonin‐treated cells. Upregulation of miR‐27b‐5p inhibited Huh7 cell proliferation, and the anticancer effect of wogonin was reversed after miR‐27b‐5p knockdown. miR‐27b‐5p directly targeted YWHAZ in HCC cells. The proliferation‐inhibiting effect of miR‐27b‐5p was revoked by YWHAZ overexpression. Meanwhile, inhibition of HCC growth was achieved by downregulating YWHAZ. Wogonin exerted antitumor activity through multiple signaling molecules, such as focal adhesion kinase, protein kinase B, mammalian target of rapamycin and molecules related to apoptosis and cell cycle by upregulating miR‐27b‐5p and downregulating YWHAZ. Our findings suggest that miR‐27b‐5p/YWHAZ axis contributes to the inhibitory effect of wogonin in HCC by targeting related genes and multiple signaling pathways.