Artesunate Induces SKM-1 Cells Apoptosis by Inhibiting Hyperactive β-catenin Signaling Pathway

Introduction: Artesunate (ART), a wildly used agent to treat severe malarial around the world, also has the power to inhibit growth of different types of tumor. However, the exact molecular mechanisms keep unknown. Method: In this study, we used myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cells (SKM-1 cells) with differential ART concentrations treatment at multiple time points to observe the subsequence cell function alteration and the possible involved pathway genes. Results: We found that ART demonstrated the ability to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in SKM-1 in a dose and time-dependent manner. Demethylase recovered CDH1 gene expression may be involved in the apoptosis process. The β-catenin protein translocated from the nucleus and cytoplasm to the membrane result in inactivation of β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our findings provide a rational basis to develop ART as a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes.