Anti-cervical cancer activity of Portulaca oleracea L. and the mechanism of synergistic cisplatin

Abstract

To explore the antitumor active components and its underlying synergistic mechanism of Portulaca oleracea L. (PO), an edible plant and traditional medicine on cervical cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. Effects of active components (POF) alone or in combination with cisplatin against cervical cancer were evaluated by detecting cell viability, cell cycle, and activities associated with apoptosis, such as reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The results showed that POF combined with cisplatin showed stronger anti-tumor effect. Ten main active components were screened and flavonoids was core components. POF and cisplatin shared common targets related to apoptosis in cervical cancer. The mechanisms were associated with inducing apoptosis through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The study revealed the active ingredients and potential targets and mechanism of POF combined with cisplatin against cervical cancer. PO may become a potential complementary and alternative drug for cervical cancer.

Keywords

• Portulaca oleracea L.
• Cervical cancer
• Network pharmacology
• Flavonoids
• Apoptosis
• PI3K/Akt