Dauricine Attenuates Oct4/Sonic Hedgehog Co-Activated Stemness and Induces Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Mitochondrial Apoptosis via AKT/β-Catenin Signaling in Human Neuroblastoma and Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells

This study investigates the role of Oct4 and sonic hedgehog (Shh) in promoting cancer stem-like cell properties in neuroblastoma and glioblastoma, and evaluates the effects of dauricine (DAU), a natural bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, on these properties. The research found that Shh enhances Oct4-mediated stemness in SH-SY5Y and T98-G cells, promoting cell growth and resistance to apoptosis. DAU was shown to reduce Oct4/Shh co-activated stemness and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by inhibiting AKT/β-catenin signaling, leading to growth inhibition of neuroblastoma and glioblastoma cells. These findings suggest that DAU could be a potential therapeutic option for treating these types of cancer.