Tetrastigma hemsleyanum leaf flavones have anti-NSCLC ability by triggering apoptosis using the Akt-mTOR pathway

With high morbidity and mortality, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become a challenge for humans, because its clinic chemotherapies still remain unsatisfactory. In this study, the leaf part of a traditional Chinese plant, Tetrastigma hemsleyanum (TL), was studied, and its main flavones compounds were extracted and purified (TLF), which were composed of 5-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside. To study the anti-NSCLC ability of TLF, in vitro and in vivo studies were done. TLF inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 cells and caused mitochondrial dysfunction. TLF significantly suppressed the tumor weight and volume, and down-regulated Ki67, proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) productions. To determine the intrinsic mechanism, proteins alternations were measured in solid tumors, and results showed that TLF blocked the Akt/mTOR pathway, and thereby induced autophagy, triggering Bcl and Caspase-dependent pathways, resulting in A549 cells’ apoptosis. This study indicated that TLF is a potential candidate to be an anti-NSCLC drug, or a supplementary resource for chemotherapy.