Xanthii fructus inhibits malignant behaviors of lung cancer cells

Objective This study aimed to investigate the influence of Xanthii fructus on the expression of small noncoding RNA (sncRNA) and the malignant behaviors of lung cancer cells. Method A549 cells were treated with Xanthii fructus extract. SncRNA expression was detected by real-time PCR. Proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and invasion capacities were determined using Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8, soft agar colony formation, and Matrigel assays, respectively. Results Xanthii fructus extract downregulated microRNA (miR)-21 expression and upregulated PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA)55490 expression. The proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and invasion capacities of A549 cells were strongly inhibited by the extract. Conclusion Xanthii fructus can inhibit the malignant behaviors of lung cancer cells.