The effect of Licochalcone A on proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance of glioma cells by regulating TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

Abstract

Objective: Based on Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) Exploring the effects of Licochalcone A (LCA) on the proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance of glioma cells through signaling pathways. Methods: Cultivate human glioma cell line U251 in vitro, induce drug-resistant cell line U251/TMZ with Temozolomide (TMZ), and validate the results. Different concentrations of licorice chalcone A were used to treat U251 cells and U251/TMZ cells, and were named as control group, low-dose group, medium-dose group, and high-dose group, respectively. CCK-8 assay, cell adhesion assay, and Transwell assay were used to detect cell survival rate, cell adhesion rate, number of migrating cells, and number of invading cells, respectively. Results: The cell survival rate, cell adhesion rate, number of migrating and invading cells in the high-dose group were lower than those in the medium-dose group and lower than those in the control group. High-dose group TLR4, NF-κB mRNA and protein levels were lower than those in the medium dose group and lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Compared with the si-NC group, the si-TLR4 group showed a decrease in cell survival rate and adhesion rate, as well as a decrease in the number of migrating and invading cells, the levels of CyclinD1 and N-cadherin proteins decreased, while the levels of E-cadherin protein increased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: LCA could inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of glioma cells and reverse drug resistance, possibly by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.