Phenanthrene Derivatives from Arundina graminifolia Inhibit the Migration and Proliferation of Human Bladder Cancer Cells

INTRODUCTION: Arundina graminifolia (D. Don) Hochr. has been used in traditional Dai medicine for the treatment of urinary tract infections and related diseases for centuries. METHODS: The cytotoxic effects of phenanthrene compounds on the human bladder cancer cell line 5637 were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis-related effects of these compounds were further investigated. Changes in cell migration ability were assessed using the Transwell assay. In addition, the expression levels of proteins associated with these processes were examined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Seven phenanthrene compounds isolated from A. graminifolia exhibited moderate to strong antiproliferative activities against 5637 bladder cancer cells, with IC50 values ranging from 38 to 87 μM. Among them, shancidin and densiflorol B showed more potent inhibitory effects on cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. DISCUSSION: Shancidin and densiflorol B inhibited bladder cancer cell migration by modulating the expression of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-related proteins, including E-cadherin, vimentin, and ZO-1. In addition, these compounds may exert their anticancer effects by regulating key proteins involved in cell cycle progression and signaling pathways, including p27, ERK, and components of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways. Overall, the tested phenanthrenes suppressed the proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells by modulating EMT-related markers and associated signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that phenanthrene derivatives from A. graminifolia may serve as promising lead compounds for the development of anti-bladder cancer agents.