In Vitro Inhibition of Migration and Adhesion in Cholangiocarcinoma Cells by Ovalitenin A through PI3K Modulation

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Ovalitenin A, a chalcone extracted from the roots of Millettia brandisiana Kurz, has exhibited cytotoxic properties in various human cancer cells. However, the effects of this on cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), an aggressive malignancy of the bile duct epithelium, are still not well understood. This study investigated the anti-metastatic potential of ovalitenin A and its associated molecular mechanisms in CCA cells. Sulforhodamine B (SRB), wound-healing, and adhesion assays were used to test cell viability, migration, and adhesion, respectively. Western blotting was performed to quantify phosphorylated PI3K and VEGF proteins, and qRT-PCR was used to measure MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA. Ovalitenin A suppressed the proliferation of CCA cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Following 24 hours of treatment, it markedly diminished cell migration and adhesion. Network pharmacology analysis found 32 common targets between ovalitenin A and CCA utilizing the SwissTargetPrediction and GeneCards databases. Moreover, protein–protein interaction analysis revealed a robust association among these targets, indicating the involvement of PI3K-related signaling pathways. PIK3CA and MMP-family proteins were prioritized as candidate targets based on their centrality within the network and their well-established roles in CCA progression, metastasis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. As predicted, treatment of ovalitenin A reduced the levels of phosphorylated PI3K and VEGF proteins and lowered the ratio of MMP-9 to TIMP-1 mRNA. These findings suggest that ovalitenin A may reduce CCA metastasis, possibly by altering PI3K signaling and its downstream molecular effectors.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Southern Thai Red Curry Paste Extracts on an Inflamed Intestinal Cell Model

Tanyarath Utaipan, Sommontee Hoysin, Piyawan Boonyanuphong — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of Southern Thai red curry paste extracts in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages and an in vitro inflamed intestinal epithelium model. The red curry paste, in both fresh and dried forms, was extracted using ethanol (EtOH). The anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and a co-culture model of human intestinal Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 cells. Among all extracts, the dried red curry ethanol extract (DR-EtOH) demonstrated the highest potency in inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 220 ± 60 mg/mL, and significantly suppressed tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels. Western blot analysis revealed that the both fresh (FR-EtOH) and dried (DR-EtOH) forms significantly inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein. In the inflamed intestinal cell model, FR-EtOH at 125 mg/mL effectively attenuated macrophage-induced intestinal epithelial dysfunction, as indicated by maintaining transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) values and reducing in interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels. These findings provide scientific evidence for the anti-inflammatory properties of Southern Thai red curry paste in both fresh and dried forms. This knowledge supports its potential development as functional foods or nutraceuticals for the prevention or mitigation of inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.

Journal of Basic and Applied Pharmacology

In Vitro Inhibition of Migration and Adhesion in Cholangiocarcinoma Cells by Ovalitenin A through PI3K Modulation

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Southern Thai Red Curry Paste Extracts on an Inflamed Intestinal Cell Model