Echinacoside suppresses cervical cancer by inhibiting cell growth and angiogenesis

Background: This study aims to investigate the effects of Echinacoside (Ech) on the progression of cervical cancer (CC) and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Methods: The viability of CC cells was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays. Wound healing and Transwell assays were conducted to evaluate CC cell motility. The effects on angiogenesis were confirmed through tube formation and immunoblot assays. Additionally, immunoblot further confirmed the mechanism. Results: Echinacoside significantly inhibited CC cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, reducing viability (p < 0.001). Colony formation was markedly suppressed, with a reduction in colony number (p < 0.001). Ech also decreased migration and invasion (p < 0.01) as measured by wound healing and Transwell assays. Furthermore, tube formation analysis showed a substantial reduction in total tube length and branch number (p < 0.01), indicating impaired angiogenic capacity. These effects were associated with significant downregulation of β-catenin, c-myc and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) expression (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Conclusions: Ech inhibits growth, motility and angiogenesis in cervical cancer cells through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.