HuaChanSu suppresses the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by interfering with pentose phosphate pathway through down-regulation of G6PD enzyme activity and expression

HuaChanSu is active water extracts from the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor. It has been already used to treat clinical cancers including HCC (Hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC), however, the molecular mechanisms under HuaChanSu's anti-cancer effects remain unclear. PPP (Pentose phosphate pathway, PPP), the major source of ribose and NADPH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, NADPH), is always over-activated and particularly critical for tumor cells growth. In this study, firstly, we illustrate that HuaChanSu restrains the growth of human hepatoma cells. More importantly, we demonstrate that the expression of G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD), the first rate-limiting enzyme of the PPP, is restrained in human hepatoma cells after treatment with HuaChanSu. Additionally, our results show that G6PD enzyme activity and dimer formation are inhibited by HuaChanSu. Furthermore, we find that HuaChanSu could inhibit NADPH production and nucleotide level. In addition, we identify that expression of PLK1 (Polo-like kinase 1, PLK1) is also reduced in response to HuaChanSu, and knockdown of PLK1 restrains enzyme activity and dimer formation of G6PD, but has no effect on G6PD protein level. Subsequently, we demonstrate that inhibition of G6PD could restrain the proliferation of tumor cells and enhance the inhibitory effect of HuaChanSu on cell proliferation of human hepatoma cells. In conclusion, for the first time, our study reveals that HuaChanSu interferes with PPP via suppression of G6PD expression and enzyme activity to restrain growth of tumor cells, and these results provide a novel insight for the anti-hepatoma mechanisms of HuaChanSu and promote the innovation of the research model of TCM. Moreover, the development of drugs targeting abnormal tumor metabolism is currently a hot topic, our works provide theoretical support for further drug development from HuaChanSu, meanwhile, the revelation of the new molecular mechanism also provides a new perspective for the study of the pathogenesis of liver cancer.