Nuclear translocation of β-catenin and migration of arecoline-induced oral cancer cells reduced by Taiwanin E via p-GSK3β downregulation

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) accounts for 90% of the total oral cancers and is a major public health issue worldwide. It is the most prevalent malignant epithelial neoplasm of the oral cavity.

In this study, we analyzed the effect of Taiwanin E, a bioactive compound derived from Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata), on metastasis and migration and further checked the mechanism particularly by Wnt signaling which is one of the key cascades involved in cancer.

Taiwanin E considerably attenuated the cell migratory potential of oral cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. At the molecular level, it was found that Taiwanin E interfered with nuclear translocation of β-catenin via p-GSK3β specifically in tumor derived cells (T28) and not in non-tumor (N28) cells. Moreover, Taiwanin E significantly downregulated the downstream metastatic protein c-myc and TBX3.

The present study demonstrates that Taiwanin E inhibits the elevated expression levels from the baseline β-catenin levels and thereby potentially inhibits the migratory effects of T28 cells.