Magnoflorine promotes Huh-7 cell apoptosis and autophagy by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

Hepatoma is a malignant tumor with high rates of heterogeneity, metastasis, and mortality. Currently, there is no effective treatment available for hepatoma. In order to treat advanced hepatoma in a better manner, new and more effective therapeutic targets still need to be developed. Magnoflorine (MGN) is a quaternary ammonium alkaloid with a variety of therapeutic properties. MGN inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer, breast cancer, glioma, and rhabdomyosarcoma cells, induced apoptosis, and blocked cell cycle. However, its possible effects on the progression of hepatoma are still indefinite. In this study, the effects of MGN on the progression of hepatoma in vitro and the underlying mechanisms were determined. MGN suppressed the proliferation, induced the autophagy, and stimulated the apoptosis of human hepatoma Huh-7 cells. Mechanically, MGN could regulate PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which therefore affects the progression of hepatoma in vitro. Taken together, MGN affected Huh-7 cell proliferation, autophagy, and apoptosis, and might act as a promising therapeutic drug for treating hepatoma.