Paeonol prevents migration and invasion, and promotes apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase

Cervical cancer is a common public health issue with high morbidity worldwide. Paeonol (Pae) has been recognized as a traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of various cancer types. However, whether Pae could exert a protective effect on cervical cancer remains to be investigated. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of Pae in cervical cancer cells and identify the potential mechanism. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony-formation assays were conducted to test the proliferation of HeLa cells. Additionally, wound healing and transwell assays were used to detect the migratory and invasive abilities of cells. The plasmid that overexpressed 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) or control vector was constructed and transfected into the cells. Subsequently, flow cytometry was used to monitor the apoptotic rate of cells. The expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins and 5-LO were detected using western blot analysis. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis detected the expression of 5-LO. Pae inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of HeLa cells, promoted cell apoptosis and downregulated the expression of 5-LO. Overexpression of 5-LO, however, attenuated these effects. Thus, Pae could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as promote apoptosis of HeLa cells by regulating the expression of 5-LO.