NF-κB signaling inhibition and anticancer activities of LLDT-246 on human colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells in vitro

Triptolide attracts attention for its anti-inflammatory, immune modulation, anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity, but the clinical application of triptolide is restricted by its serious toxicity. Here, we demonstrate LLDT-246, a new triptolide derivative, exhibited a little more potent activity of NF-κB inhibition and cytotoxicity whether acting alone or in combination with TNF-α on colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells than its maternal compound, and showed low toxic to non-cancer cells. Mechanism study revealed that LLDT-246 inhibited phosphorylation of AKT, p-GSK3β and p-mTOR, however, no significant effects were found on the level of p-ERK and p-JNK, along with HSP70, indicating LLDT-246 indirectly affects NF-κB and suppresses NF-κB signaling largely by interpreting AKT/GSK3β/mTOR pathway. Altogether, LLDT-246 is a promising anticancer derivative of triptolide, further studies in vivo and about detailed mechanism of LLDT-246 is required in the future.