Abstract

The objective of this study is to explore the effect of plantamajoside on malignant properties of MHCC97H cells and its possible mediating molecular mechanisms. Effects of high, median, and low concentrations of plantamajoside on MHCC97H cell malignant behaviors were assessed. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis detected microRNA-3178 expression in tissue samples. Western blotting detected E-cadherin and N-cadherin protein levels. Plantamajoside led to a remarkable reduction in the proliferative, migrating and invasive capabilities of MHCC97H cells, which was accompanied with a diminution in N-cadherin protein levels as well as an augmentation in E-cadherin protein level and microRNA-3178 expression. Reduction of microRNA-3178 was noted in hepatocellular carcinoma samples vs. para-carcinoma tissues. Furthermore, microRNA-3178 overexpression demonstrated an ability to inhibit the effects on the invasion, metastasis, and proliferation of MHCC97H cells. Amusingly, microRNA-3178 silencing attenuated the plantamajoside-mediated inhibitory impact on malignant behaviours of MHCC97H cells. Plantamajoside treatment resulted in an upregulation of microRNA-3178, thus repressing MHCC97H cell invasion, metastasis, and proliferation.