Tripterine inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by up-regulating microRNA-15a

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Tripterine is an important active component isolated from Triperygium wilfordii Hook F. This study investigated the effects of tripterine on breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis, as well as microRNA-15a (miR-15a) expression. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to measure the expression of miR-15a. Cell transfection was conducted to change the expression of miR-15a. Viability, proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, BrdU incorporation assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit and two-chamber Transwell assay, respectively. Expression of key factors involving in cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis, as well as the PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways, were evaluated using Western blotting. We found that tripterine inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion, but induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, tripterine up-regulated the expression of miR-15a in a concentration-dependent manner and miR-15a participated in the effects of tripterine on MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. In addition, tripterine inactivated PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways in MDA-MB-231 cells by up-regulating miR-15a. In conclusion, tripterine inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by up-regulating miR-15a and inactivating PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways.