PUBLICATION
Salidroside inhibits melanin synthesis and melanoma growth via mTOR and PI3K/Akt pathways
- Authors
- Ouyang, Q., Tian, S., Zhou, H., Mao, Y., Li, X., Yan, F., Liu, A., Hu, X., You, C., He, J.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-250725-16
- Date
- 2025
- Source
- Frontiers in oncology 15: 15835801583580 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Keywords
- PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, melanoma, network pharmacology, oxidative stress, salidroside
- MeSH Terms
- none
- PubMed
- 40708947 Full text @ Front Oncol
Citation
Ouyang, Q., Tian, S., Zhou, H., Mao, Y., Li, X., Yan, F., Liu, A., Hu, X., You, C., He, J. (2025) Salidroside inhibits melanin synthesis and melanoma growth via mTOR and PI3K/Akt pathways. Frontiers in oncology. 15:15835801583580.
Abstract
Background Melanomas are caused by the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the tyrosol components of salidroside inhibit tyrosinase activity. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway plays a crucial role in biological pigment synthesis. However, how salidroside achieves its anti-melanoma effect in melanoma by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effect of salidroside on PI3K/Akt/mTOR in melanoma, which plays a role in regulating melanogenesis.
Methods Network pharmacology was predicted that salidroside may exert an anti-melanoma effect through modulating melanin synthesis functions and signaling pathways. Zebrafish whole-embryo in situ hybridization, RT-qPCR, melanin synthesis and tumorigenesis assays, and were performed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of salidroside in melanin synthesis. The mechanism of salidroside in anti-melanoma activity was examined by RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, in vivo imaging, immunohistochemistry.
Results We confirmed salidroside may exert an anti-melanoma effect through modulating melanin synthesis-related gene expression and PI3K/Akt pathway by Network pharmacology. Furthermore, salidroside slowed melanin synthesis in zebrafish embryos and H2O2-induced B16F10 cells by inhibited oxidative stress. Moreover, we determined the effect of salidroside on anti-melanin synthesis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in vitro, and western blot results showed that salidroside increased the expression of Nrf2 in the nucleus, as well as inhibited the phosphorylation of mTOR and PI3K/Akt pathway. Finally, intratumoral administration showed salidroside suppressed melanoma growth.
Conclusion Salidroside inhibits melanin synthesis and melanoma development most likely by its antioxidant properties and downregulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Our results may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of melanoma.
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Human Disease / Model
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