Rhamnocitrin induces apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma by inhibiting IGF-1R signaling pathway <i>in vitro</i>

This study explored rhamnocitrin's apoptotic effects on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines (CNE-2/C666-1) and underlying mechanisms. Following treatment with varying concentrations, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and protein expression were analyzed using MTT assay, Hoechst/Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, and western blot. Results showed rhamnocitrin inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, downregulated IGF-1R, Erk1/2, and Akt phosphorylation, and activated caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9, and Bax while inhibiting survivin, Bcl-2, and Mcl-1. In conclusion, rhamnocitrin induces apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by inhibiting the IGF-1R signaling pathway and its downstream effectors Akt and Erk1/2.