Morin, a Natural Flavonoid, Activates the PINK1 /Parkin Pathway to Induce Mitophagy, Promote Apoptosis, and Suppress Cancer Stemness in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among the deadliest malignancies, characterized by poor treatment response. Natural bioactive compounds, such as Morin, a flavonoid, have gained interest as potential therapeutic agents due to their anticancer properties but remain unexplored in PC. This study investigates the anticancer effects of Morin on PC cells, particularly its ability to induce mitophagy via the PINK1/Parkin pathway and modulate mitochondrial function and cancer stemness. PANC-1 cells were treated with Morin, and its impact on tumorigenic potential was evaluated using in vitro assays, including cell viability, colony formation, migration, invasion, and spheroid formation, as well as in vivo studies in a nude mice model. Mitochondrial function and apoptosis were assessed through flow cytometry, gene expression analysis, PCR microarrays, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunofluorescence, ELISA, western blotting, and molecular docking. Morin exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity, significantly reducing viability, colony formation, migration, and invasion in PC. It downregulated mesenchymal and stemness markers (N-cadherin, SNAI1, ZEB1, SOX2, NANOG, OCT4) while upregulating E-cadherin. Morin disrupted spheroid morphology and decreased ALDH activity, indicating reduced cancer stemness. Additionally, Morin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased membrane potential, ATP synthase activity, and mitochondrial mass, along with increased mitochondrial superoxide production. Upregulation of mitophagy markers (PINK1, Parkin, pAMPK, LC3A/B) and downregulation of fusion (MFN2) confirmed PINK1-mediated mitophagy. Apoptosis induction was supported by Annexin V/PI staining, TEM, elevated caspase-3/-9 levels, and cytochrome c release. Molecular docking confirmed strong Morin-PINK1 interaction. Morin induces mitophagy, promotes apoptosis, and suppresses cancer invasiveness in PC cells, highlighting its potential as an adjuvant therapeutic agent. Future clinical studies are warranted to evaluate its relevance.