Matrine inhibits cell growth, migration, invasion and promotes autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma by regulation of circ_0027345/miR-345-5p/HOXD3 axis

Background Matrine has been reported to exert anti-tumor effects in multiple types of cancers containing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the anti-tumor molecular mechanisms of matrine in HCC is still not fully revealed. Methods Cell viability, apoptosis, cycle, migration and invasion were determined by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), Flow cytometry and Transwell assays, respectively. Levels of all protein were analyzed by western blot analysis. The levels of circular RNA_0027345 (circ_0027345), microRNA-345-5p (miR-345-5p) and homeobox-containingD3 (HOXD3) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The interaction between circ_0027345 and circ_0027345 was identified using dual-luciferase reporter assay. The mouse xenograft model was constructed to explore the effect of matrine on tumor growth in vivo. Results Matrine suppressed cell growth, migration and invasion, while promoted apoptosis and autophagy in HCC cells. Matrine down-regulated the levels of circ_0027345 and HOXD3, and up-regulated miR-345-5p expression. Besides, circ_0027345 overexpression could reverse the inhibitory effect of matrine on cell progression. As the target gene of circ_0027345, miR-345-5p elevation counteracted the promotion effect of circ_0027345 overexpression on development of HCC cells. Moreover, miR-345-5p knockdown could facilitate cell growth, migration, invasion and repress cell apoptosis and autophagy by targeting HOXD3. Meanwhile, matrine restrained tumor growth of HCC by regulating circ_0027345/miR-345-5p/HOXD3 axis in vivo. Conclusion Matrine inhibited cell development and tumorigenesis in HCC by increasing miR-345-5p and decreasing circ_0027345 and HOXD3.