Pectolinarigenin Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth by Inhibiting STAT3 Signaling

Pancreatic cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths with extremely poor prognosis. Thus, novel and effective therapies need to be developed to improve the poor survival rates of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Pectolinarigenin, a flavonoids compound, has been shown to possess numerous biologic activities such as anti-inflammation and anti-cancer. However, the function and mechanism of pectolinarigenin in pancreatic cancer are still not well understood. We evaluated the antitumor effects of pectolinarigenin, an active component of a medicinal plant. Pectolinarigenin exerted a strong antitumor effect in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Colony formation assay and wound healing assay indicated that pectolinarigenin inhibited cell viability and cell migration. Treatment with pectolinarigenin induced apoptosis and decreased phosphorylation of STAT3. Pectolinarigenin modulates the STAT3 signaling module, thereby inducing cytotoxicity in pancreatic cancer cells. This result verifies the potential use of pectolinarigenin as a new therapeutic agent for the treatment pancreatic cancer.