Piperlongumine inhibits the growth of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the miR-34b-3p/TGFBR1 pathway

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer is a common type of lung cancer. Piperlongumine (PL), which is extracted from the roots of piperaceae plant, long pepper, and peppercorn, is an alkaloid amide that inhibits tumor growth and metastasis. However, whether it affects lung cancer cells remains unclear. METHODS: We assessed the effects of PL on the proliferation and apoptosis of A549 and H1299 NSCLC cell lines. RESULTS: PL was mildly toxic to normal human bronchial epithelial cells and significantly suppressed growth and facilitated apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells. It also upregulated microRNA (miR)-34b-3p and downregulated the transforming growth factor beta type I receptor (TGFBR1). The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that TGFBR1 is a target gene of miR-34b-3p. Silencing of miR-34b-3p or overexpression of TGFBR1 partially attenuated the effects of PL on A549 and H1299 cells. CONCLUSIONS: PL inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells by upregulating miR-34b-3p and modulating TGFBR1 signaling pathway. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-020-03123-y.