Rutin Suppresses EMT and Induces Mitochondrial Biogenesis via ER Stress-linked AMPK/SIRT1 Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men worldwide. While early-stage disease can often be managed effectively, advanced and treatment-resistant forms such as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remain a major therapeutic challenge. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting alternative pathways are therefore urgently needed. Rutin, a natural flavonoid abundant in fruits and vegetables, has demonstrated antioxidant and anticancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of Rutin in prostate cancer cells, focusing on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), mitochondrial biogenesis, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-linked signaling.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Four prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, DU-145, LNCaP, and LNCaP-Enz) were treated with rutin. Cell proliferation was assessed, and EMT markers [E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Snail, Slug], mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins (AMPK, SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, TFAM), and ER stress markers (BiP, IRE1, PERK, ATF6) were analyzed by standard molecular and cellular assays. Co-treatment with the ER stress inhibitor TUDCA and the eIF2α phosphorylation modulator Salubrinal was performed to determine pathway involvement.

RESULTS

Rutin significantly suppressed cell proliferation and EMT in all tested prostate cancer cell lines, as indicated by increased E-cadherin expression and decreased α-SMA, Snail, and Slug. It also promoted mitochondrial biogenesis through the up-regulation of AMPK, SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM. In parallel, rutin reduced ER stress marker expression, and these effects were reversed by co-treatment with TUDCA or Salubrinal.

CONCLUSION

Rutin inhibits prostate cancer progression by suppressing EMT, inducing mitochondrial biogenesis, and acting via ER stress-linked AMPK/SIRT1 signaling. These findings suggest that Rutin may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for advanced prostate cancer.