Involvement of <scp>STAT3</scp> and p38 Signaling in Anti‐Tumor Effects of <i>Sasa veitchii</i> Leaf Extract in Murine and Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells

ABSTRACT Aim Sasa veitchii (Carrière) Rehder leaf extract (SE) is a traditional medicine with various biological effects, including anti‐tumor activity. We previously demonstrated that SE exerts anti‐tumor effects against both murine and human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. However, how SE exerts its anti‐tumor effects against PDAC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the anti‐tumor effects of SE using murine and human PDAC cell lines. Methods We assessed cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and cell migration after treatment with SE for 24 and 48 h. The expression levels of proteins related to metastasis, angiogenesis, mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling were evaluated by immunoblotting. Results SE significantly inhibited cell viability and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in both cell lines. Additionally, SE inhibited cell migration and downregulated metastasis‐ and angiogenesis‐related proteins, as well as decreasing the levels of phosphorylated p38 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. Conclusion SE exhibited anti‐tumor effects against murine and human PDAC cells through the involvement of a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and p38 signaling.