OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalein on proliferation and migration of multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and its molecular mechanism.

METHODSThe MM cell line RPMI-8226 and U266 cells were used as the model, and treated with different concentration and time of baicalein the effect of baicalein on the MM cells proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. With or without baicalein or Interleukin-6 (IL-6) treatment, the β-catenin protein level was analyzed by immunofluorescence assay and western blot assay and mRNA levels of β-catenin, c-myc, cyclin D1 and integrin 7 gene by RT-PCR. Transwell chamber migration assay was used to detect the cells migration ability with different concentration of baicalein cultured.

RESULTSBaicalein inhibited the MM cell line RPMI 8226 and U266 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It simultaneously inhibited β-catenin protein level to resist the effect of IL-6 on inducing MM cell proliferation, and resulted in decrease of β-catenin, c-myc, cyclinD1 and integrin β7 mRNA levels. Baicalein also decreased migration ability of MM cells in a dose-dependent manner by SDF-1.

CONCLUSIONBaicalein can inhibit MM cells proliferation and migration, and its molecular mechanisms are associated with inhibition of proliferation related genes β-catenin, c-myc, cyclin D1 and integrin β7 expression.