Hesperetin regulates transforming growth factor-β1/Smads pathway to suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition -mediated invasion and migration in cervical cancer cell

Hesperetin is an abundant flavonoid in citrus fruits, and be confirmed to possess a chemo-preventive effect on cancer. Migration and invasion are the main causes of death of cervical cancer patients, in which epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can directly contribute to malignant phenotypes of tumor cells. The present study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of hesperetin on EMT-mediated invasion and migration in cervical cancer cells through transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads pathway. Cell viability, cell migration and invasion ability, and cell morphology were evaluated and monitored using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assays, Transwell assays and optical microscope, respectively. The change of EMT marker protein E-cadherin and N-cadherin was assessed by immunofluorescence assay, whereas the protein expression of EMT bio-marker and TGF-β1/Smads pathway were detected through western blot analysis. In conclusion, hesperetin can suppress EMT-mediated invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells by inhibiting abnormal activation of TGF-β1/Smads pathway. The study provides an experimental basis for the prevention of the invasion and migration of cervical cancer.