Shikonin inhibits the proliferation of cervical cancer cells via FAK/AKT/GSK3β signalling

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies of the female reproductive system. Shikonin, a naphthoqui‑ none pigment extracted from the traditional medicinal herb, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been demonstrated to exert significant inhibitory effects on a variety of tumours in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, the effects of shikonin on cervical cancer and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. The effects of shikonin on the viability on HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cells was examined using cell counting kit (CCK‑8) and colony formation assays. Immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect the levels of the proliferation‑related protein, Ki67. Western blot analysis was utilized to measure the phosphorylated and total expression levels of proteins, including focal adhesion kinase (FAK), AKT, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). Cell migration was determined by using wound healing assay. Metastasis‑associated 1 (MTA1), TGFβ1 and VEGF mRNA expression levels were determined using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. It was demonstrated that, shikonin inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation and migration. The data of the present