BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Its major histopathological subtype is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Xiaoai Jiedu recipe (XJR) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that can suppress growth and invasion of tumor cells. Here, we assessed the antitumor effect of XJR on NSCLC explored the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three concentrations of XJR (low, middle, and high) were used to treat A549 cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assay were used to measure proliferation of A549 cells. Apoptosis was evaluated by Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-associated proteins was measured by Western blot analysis. Transwell and scratch wound healing assay were used to assess invasion and migration, respectively, of A549 cells. The expression of p38 MAPK pathway-associated proteins were measured using Western blot analysis.

RESULTS: XJR suppressed proliferation and promoted apoptosis of A549 cells, especially in the high-dose group. The expression of Bcl-2 was reduced with increasing expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9. Invasion and migration abilities of A549 cells were inhibited after XJR treatment. XJR treatment decreased the expression levels of phosphorylated p38 (p-p38), p-ERK, and p-JNK in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that XJR can inhibit proliferation, invasion, and migration, and induce apoptosis of NSCLC by blocking the p38 MAPK pathway, which shows the potential of XJR as a new treatment of NSCLC.