Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, characterized by high incidence and poor survival. Natural plant-derived compounds offer potential sources for anticancer drug development. This study investigated the inhibition effects and molecular mechanisms of longan flower water extract (LFWE) in H1975 lung adenocarcinoma cells. LFWE significantly reduced H1975 cell viability and induced notable morphological changes. Mechanistically, LFWE activated autophagy, evidenced by increased LC3-II/LC3-I ratios and decreased P62 levels, and promoted lysosome-mediated degradation of mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), leading to inhibition of downstream mTOR signaling. However, LFWE showed a degree of inhibition activity toward non-malignant lung cells, potentially imposing limitations. Further studies on its safety and translational application are necessary. In summary, this study provides preliminary evidence for exploring LFWE as a potential therapeutic strategy for lung adenocarcinoma.
肺腺癌是非小細胞肺癌中最常見的亞型,具有高發生率與低存活率。天然植物來源化合物提供了抗癌藥物開發的潛在來源。本研究探討龍眼花水萃物(longan flower water extract; LFWE)對H1975肺腺癌細胞的抑制作用及分子機制。LFWE顯著降低H1975細胞存活率,並誘導明顯的形態變化。在機制方面,LFWE激活自噬,表現為LC3-II/LC3-I比值增加與P62水平下降,並促進突變型表皮生長因子受體(epidermal growth factor receptor; EGFR)的溶酶體介導降解,進而抑制下游mTOR信號通路。然而,LFWE對非惡性肺細胞亦有一些抑制效果,可能造成應用上的限制。進一步的安全性評估與轉化應用研究是必要的。總結來說,本研究提供初步證據,支持LFWE作為肺腺癌潛在治療策略的探索。