Cryptolepine inhibits melanoma cell growth through coordinated changes in mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics and metabolic tumor suppressor AMPKα1/2-LKB1.

Dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis have been associated with various pathological conditions including cancers. Here, we assessed the therapeutic effect of cryptolepine, a pharmacologically active alkaloid derived from the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, on melanoma cell growth. Treatment of human melanoma cell lines (A375, Hs294t, SK-Mel28 and SK-Mel119) with cryptolepine (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 μM) for 24 and 48 h significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited the growth of melanoma cells but not normal melanocytes. The inhibitory effect of cryptolepine was associated with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced protein expression of Mfn1, Mfn2, Opa1 and p-Drp1 leading to disruption of mitochondrial dynamics. A decrease in the levels of ATP and mitochondrial mass were associated with activation of the metabolic tumor suppressor AMPKα1/2-LKB1, and a reduction in mTOR signaling. Decreased expression of SDH-A and COX-I demonstrated that cryptolepine treatment reduced mitochondrial biogenesis. In vivo treatment of A375 xenograft-bearing nude mice with cryptolepine (10 mg/Kg body weight, i.p.) resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth, which was associated with disruption of mitochondrial dynamics and a reduction in mitochondrial biogenesis. Our study suggests that low toxicity phytochemicals like cryptolepine may be tested for the treatment of melanoma.