Coptisine induces G2/M arrest in esophageal cancer cell via the inhibition of p38/ERK1/2/claudin-2 signaling pathway.

In this study, we treated esophageal cancer (EC) cell lines, TE1 and KYSE450 with coptisine (COP) and investigated the biological effects of COP in EC cells. Our results showed that COP inhibited the cell viability and proliferation of EC cells, and COP induced G2/M phase arrest of EC cells and decreased the expression of claudin-2, p-cdc2, CDK1 and cyclin B1. In addition, we found the reduction of p-p38 and p-ERK1/2 in EC cells treated with COP. The effects of COP on pro-cell cycle arresting were reversed after combined with p38 and ERK1/2 inhibitors. Overall, these findings indicate that COP may possess potential for anti-tumor effects in EC and may contribute to the development as anti-cancer agents.