Carnosic Acid Induces Antiproliferation and Anti-Metastatic Property of Esophageal Cancer Cells via MAPK Signaling Pathways

Abstract

Background. Carnosic acid (CA) is a polyphenolic diterpene extracted from rosemary. Reports have shown that CA possesses anticancer activity. However, whether CA inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, an aggressive type of esophageal cancer, remains untested. Methods. The effects of CA on cell survival, migration, and apoptosis were evaluated by a combination of MTT, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay. The potential signaling pathways involved were investigated via Western blot assay. Results. CA dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and colony formation. Mechanistically, CA arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase, promoted cell apoptosis, induced DNA damage, and inhibited the MAPK signaling pathways. Conclusion. Our results suggest that CA is a potential anticancer drug for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.