Scoparone induces mitophagy and apoptosis via ROS accumulation in pancreatic cancer cells.

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide. In the present study, we demonstrated that a traditional Chinese medicine extract monomer, scoparone (Scop), significantly inhibited the growth of PC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Further studies revealed that Scop could induce PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and apoptosis in PC cells; thus, inhibition of mitophagy could alleviate the anti-PC effect and apoptosis of Scop. Mechanistically, Scop exerts its anti-PC effects via the Akt/mTOR pathway. In addition, Scop increases the level of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC cells, which may be a key factor, as the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine significantly reversed the effects of mitophagy and apoptosis in PC cells. Our findings highlight Scop s

SUBMITTER: Weng N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12861253 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature