Curzerene suppresses progression of human glioblastoma through inhibition of glutathione S‐transferase A4

AIMS: Glioblastoma is the central nervous system tumor with the highest mortality rate, and the clinical effectiveness of chemotherapy is low. Curzerene can inhibit the progression of non‐small‐cell lung cancer, but its role in glioma has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of curzerene on glioma progression and further explore its potential mechanism. METHODS: The expression of glutathione S‐transferase A4 (GSTA4) in glioblastoma and the effect of curzerene on the expression of GSTA4 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 and the activation of the mTOR pathway were detected by Western blotting and RT‐PCR, and the effects of curzerene treatment on glioma malignant character were detected by cell biological assays. The in vivo antitumor effects of curzerene were analyzed in a nude mouse xenograft model. RESULTS: Curzerene was found to inhibit the expression of GSTA4 mRNA and protein in U251 and U87 glioma cells, and this effect correlated with a downregulation of the proliferation of these cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Invasion and migration were also inhibited, and curzerene treatment correlated with induction of apoptosis. Curzerene inhibited the activation of the mTOR pathway and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9, and it correlated with increased 4‐hydroxynonenal levels. In vivo, curzerene was found to significantly inhibit tumor growth in nude mice and to prolong the survival time of tumor‐bearing nude mice. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, inhibition of GSTA4 correlates with positive outcomes in glioma models, and thus, this molecule is a candidate drug for the treatment of glioma.