Resveratrol inhibits human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell growth via blocking pAkt/p70S6K signaling pathways

Resveratrol Inhibits Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) by Targeting the MAPK Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

With conventional cancer treatments facing limitations, interest in plant-derived natural products as potential alternatives is increasing. Although resveratrol has demonstrated antitumor effects in various cancers, its impact and mechanism on nasopharyngeal carcinoma remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically investigate the anti-cancer effects of resveratrol on nasopharyngeal carcinoma using a combination of experimental pharmacology, network pharmacology, and molecular docking approaches.

METHODS

CCK-8, scratch wound, and transwell assays were employed to confirm the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. H&E and TUNEL stainings were used to observe the morphological changes and apoptosis status of resveratrol-treated cells. The underlying mechanisms were elucidated using a network pharmacology approach. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were utilized to validate key signaling pathways.

RESULTS

Resveratrol inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, ultimately inducing apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that resveratrol may exert its anti-nasopharyngeal carcinoma effect mainly through the MAPK pathway. Immunohistochemistry results from clinical cases showed MAPK signaling activation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues compared to adjacent tissues. Western blotting validated the targeting effect of resveratrol, demonstrating significant inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, molecular docking supported its multi-target role with MAPK, TP53, PIK3CA, SRC, etc. Conclusion: Resveratrol has shown promising potential in inhibiting human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by primarily targeting the MAPK pathway. These findings position resveratrol as a potential therapeutic agent for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The Invasive Species Reynoutria japonica Houtt. as a Promising Natural Agent for Cardiovascular and Digestive System Illness

Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, the dry roots and stems of Reynoutria japonica Houtt (called Huzhang, HZ in Chinese), is a traditional and popular chinese medicinal herb for thousands of years. As a widely used ethnomedicine in Asia including China, Japan, and Korea, HZ can invigorate the blood, cool heat, and resolve toxicity, which is commonly used in the treatment of favus, jaundice, scald, and constipation. However, HZ is now considered an invasive plant in the United States and many European countries. Therefore, in order to take advantage of HZ and solve the problem of biological invasion, scholars around the world have carried out abundant research studies on HZ. Until now, about 110 compounds have been isolated and identified from HZ, in which anthraquinones, stilbenes, and flavonoids would be the main bioactive ingredients for its pharmacological properties, such as microcirculation improvement, myocardial protective effects, endocrine regulation, anti-atherosclerotic activity, anti-oxidant activity, anti-tumor activity, anti-viral activity, and treatment of skin inflammation, burns, and scalds. HZ has a variety of active ingredients and broad pharmacological activities. It is widely used in health products, cosmetics, and even animal husbandry feed and has no obvious toxicity. Efforts should be made to develop more products such as effective drugs, health care products, cosmetics, and agricultural and animal husbandry products to benefit mankind.

Correlation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The primary aim of this study was to examine the correlation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway with the clinicopathological features and prognostic significance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The study tissues were collected from 285 patients with NPC and normal mucosal tissues were obtained from 289 individuals with normal nasopharynxes. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detected the expression of the AKT, mTOR, and p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (P70S6K) proteins. Follow-up was performed for between 8 and 60 months. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation of the expression of the AKT, mTOR, and P70S6K proteins in NPC tissues. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to show the survival of patients with NPC. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to explore the independent risk factors for prognosis. The expression of the AKT, mTOR, and P70S6K proteins in NPC tissues was higher than that in healthy nasopharyngeal mucosal tissues, and was correlated with T-staging, N-staging, clinical stage, distant metastasis, and differentiation. The positive expression of the AKT, mTOR, and P70S6K proteins was higher in patients with stage III/IV NPC, low differentiation, and metastasis. The survival rates of patients with NPC with AKT-positive, mTOR-positive, and P70S6K-positive expression were considerably lower than those without the expression of these proteins. Distant metastasis and the overexpression of the AKT, mTOR, and P70S6K proteins were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with NPC. The results obtained from this study indicated an association between the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and the progression of NPC. The upregulation of the AKT/mTOR pathway in patients with NPC is a predictor of poor prognosis.

Protection against chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced side effects: A review based on the mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities of phytochemicals

BACKGROUND

Although great achievements have been made in the field of cancer therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy remain the mainstay cancer therapeutic modalities. However, they are associated with various side effects, including cardiocytotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, mucositis, and alopecia, which severely affect the quality of life of cancer patients. Plants harbor a great chemical diversity and flexible biological properties that are well-compatible with their use as adjuvant therapy in reducing the side effects of cancer therapy.

PURPOSE

This review aimed to comprehensively summarize the molecular mechanisms by which phytochemicals ameliorate the side effects of cancer therapies and their potential clinical applications.

METHODS

We obtained information from PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google scholar, and introduced the molecular mechanisms by which chemotherapeutic drugs and irradiation induce toxic side effects. Accordingly, we summarized the underlying mechanisms of representative phytochemicals in reducing these side effects.

RESULTS

Representative phytochemicals exhibit a great potential in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to their broad range of biological activities, including antioxidation, antimutagenesis, anti-inflammation, myeloprotection, and immunomodulation. However, since a majority of the phytochemicals have only been subjected to preclinical studies, clinical trials are imperative to comprehensively evaluate their therapeutic values.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights that phytochemicals have interesting properties in relieving the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Future studies are required to explore the clinical benefits of these phytochemicals for exploitation in chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Resveratrol, Rapamycin and Metformin as Modulators of Antiviral Pathways

Balanced nutrition and appropriate dietary interventions are fundamental in the prevention and management of viral infections. Additionally, accurate modulation of the inflammatory response is necessary to achieve an adequate antiviral immune response. Many studies, both in vitro with mammalian cells and in vivo with small animal models, have highlighted the antiviral properties of resveratrol, rapamycin and metformin. The current review outlines the mechanisms of action of these three important compounds on the cellular pathways involved with viral replication and the mechanisms of virus-related diseases, as well as the current status of their clinical use.

Resveratrol Suppresses Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Growth Via Inhibiting Differentiation Antagonizing Non-Protein Coding RNA (DANCR) Expression

BACKGROUND Although resveratrol has been found to show anti-cancer effects and potential chemotherapeutic activities in several cancers, the role and molecular mechanisms of resveratrol in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol in NPC progression and its molecular mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to detect the expression of DANCR and PTEN. MTT assay and EdU assay were performed to detect the cell proliferation in NPC cells with different treatment. The effect of resveratrol on cell migration was explored by Transwell migration assay. RNA immunoprecipitation assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were performed to test the interaction between DANCR, EZH2, and PTEN. A mouse xenograft model of NPC cell was established, and immunohistochemistry assay was performed to detect the PTEN expression. RESULTS Resveratrol treatment inhibited NPC cell growth and migration in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, resveratrol downregulated the expression of DANCR and DANCR overexpressing abrogated the inhibition effect of resveratrol on NPC cell migration. Mechanistically, DANCR could bind to EZH2 and downregulated PTEN expression through mediating the binding of EZH2 on PTEN promoter. Furthermore, rescue experiments suggested resveratrol inhibited NPC cell growth and migration by the DANCR/PTEN pathway. Resveratrol significantly decreased the tumor volume and tumor weight and increased the expression of PTEN. CONCLUSIONS Resveratrol increased PTEN expression and suppressed NPC cell growth and migration through downregulation of DANCR.

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and Biological Evaluation for Bioactive Molecules Derived from Bacterial Benzoyl Coenzyme A Ligase and Plant Type III Polyketide Synthase

Plant type III polyketide synthases produce diverse bioactive molecules with a great medicinal significance to human diseases. Here, we demonstrated versatility of a stilbene synthase (STS) from Pinus Sylvestris, which can accept various non-physiological substrates to form unnatural polyketide products. Three enzymes (4-coumarate CoA ligase, malonyl-CoA synthetase and engineered benzoate CoA ligase) along with synthetic chemistry was practiced to synthesize starter and extender substrates for STS. Of these, the crystal structures of benzoate CoA ligase (BadA) from Rhodopseudomonas palustris in an apo form or in complex with a 2-chloro-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxyl-AMP or 2-methylthiazole-5-carboxyl-AMP intermediate were determined at resolutions of 1.57 Å, 1.7 Å, and 2.13 Å, respectively, which reinforces its capacity in production of unusual CoA starters. STS exhibits broad substrate promiscuity effectively affording structurally diverse polyketide products. Seven novel products showed desired cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cell lines (A549, HCT116, Cal27). With the treatment of two selected compounds, the cancer cells underwent cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The precursor-directed biosynthesis alongside structure-guided enzyme engineering greatly expands the pharmaceutical repertoire of lead compounds with promising/enhanced biological activities.

MAN1B1 is associated with poor prognosis and modulates proliferation and apoptosis in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) has been regarded as the most common malignancy of the urinary system worldwide. With lack of investigations for molecular pathogenesis underlying that develop BC, the therapeutic efficacy of several therapeutic approaches existing is still unsatisfactory. Here, our study aimed to explore the potentially biological function of MAN1B1 on BC. In this study, MAN1B1 expression level in BC tissues and normal tissues was analyzed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and correlation between its expression and prognosis was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Knockout of MAN1B1 was performed using silencing RNA and the efficacy of MAN1B1 knockout was identified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The BC cells proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, and then the cells apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (Annexin V-FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry following MAN1B1 knocked down by small interfering RNA. Protein kinase B (AKT) signaling was evaluated by detecting related markers, namely AKT, p-AKT, 4E-BP-1 and Bax using western blot assay. As a result, the MAN1B1 expression was higher in BC tissues than those in normal tissues, besides, its overexpression was associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, MAN1B1 reduction by silencing RNA approach resulted in BC cells proliferation suppression and BC cells apoptosis promotion. Finally, AKT signaling activity was inhibited by MAN1B1 silencing. Taken together, these results unraveled that MAN1B1 may act on an oncogenic action in BC, which improved the likelihood of MAN1B1 taking on a promising prognostic biomarker and a potential target for treating BC.

IL-17A promotes the proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through p300-mediated Akt1 acetylation

Interleukin (IL)-17A is a T helper (Th)17 cell-secreted cytokine that is able to induce various inflammatory responses. There is emerging evidence that IL-17A is generated in the cancer microenvironment of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the role of IL-17A in NPC remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the direct influence of IL-17A stimulation on the proliferation of human NPC cells and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, E1A binding protein p300 (p300)-mediated AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1) acetylation and its role in regulating the proliferation of NPC cells was investigated. The results of the current study demonstrated that IL-17A stimulation in vitro increased the proliferation of human NPC cells. Furthermore, Akt1 acetylation was identified to be enhanced in human NPC cells induced by IL-17A. Additionally, p300 induction was demonstrated to be required for Akt1 acetylation in human NPC cells following exposure to IL-17A. Functionally, p300-mediated Akt1 acetylation contributed to the proliferation of human NPC cells stimulated by IL-17A. In conclusion, the results of the present demonstrate a novel activity of IL-17A that promotes human NPC cell proliferation via p300-mediated Akt1 acetylation. This may provide a potential strategy for the treatment of patients with NPC through the inhibition of IL-17A or its receptors.

Didox and resveratrol sensitize colorectal cancer cells to doxorubicin via activating apoptosis and ameliorating P-glycoprotein activity

Doxorubicin (DOX) has limited efficacy in colorectal cancer due to multi-drug resistance. Resveratrol (RES) and didox (DID) are polyhydroxyphenols with potential chemosensitizing effects. Herein, we assessed the chemomodulatory effects of RES and DID to DOX in colorectal cancer cells. Equitoxic combination of DOX with RES and DID in HCT 116 reduced the IC₅₀ of DOX from 0.96 ± 0.02 μM to 0.52 ± 0.05 μM and 0.4 ± 0.06 μM, respectively. Similarly, combination of DOX with RES and DID in HT-29 decreased the IC₅₀’s of DOX from 0.88 ± 0.03 μM to 0.47 ± 0.02 μM and 0.29 ± 0.04 μM, respectively. The expressions of p53 and Bax genes were markedly elevated in HCT 116 cells after exposure to DOX/DID. In HT-29 cells, the expression of Bcl-XL gene was significantly decreased after exposure to DOX/DID. In addition, combination of DOX with RES significantly increased the expression of Bax gene in HCT 116 cells. RES treatment induced significant S-phase arrest in DOX-treated HCT 116 cells, while DID induced G₂/M- and S-phase arrest in HCT 116 and HT-29, respectively. Both RES and DID significantly enhanced the intracellular entrapment of DOX due to blocking the efflux activity of p-glycoprotein pump. In conclusion, RES and DID sensitize colorectal cancer cells to DOX via facilitating apoptosis and enhancing intracellular entrapment of DOX.

Differential effects of rapalogues, dual kinase inhibitors on human ovarian carcinoma cells in vitro

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological malignancy and was diagnosed in over 7,000 women in 2011 in the UK. There are currently no reliable biomarkers available for use in a regular screening assay for ovarian cancer and due to characteristic late presentation (78% in stages III and IV) ovarian cancer has a low survival rate (35% after 10 years). The mTOR pathway is a central regulator of growth, proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis; providing balance between available resources such as amino acids and growth factors, and stresses such as hypoxia, to control cellular behaviour accordingly. Emerging data links mTOR with the aetiopathogenesis of ovarian cancer. We hypothesised that mTOR inhibitors could play a therapeutic role in ovarian cancer treatment. In this study we began by validating the expression of four main mTOR pathway components, mTOR, DEPTOR, rictor and raptor, at gene and protein level in in vitro models of endometrioid (MDAH-2774) and clear cell (SKOV3) ovarian cancer using qPCR and ImageStream technology. Using a wound healing assay we show that inhibition of the mTOR pathway using rapamycin, rapalogues, resveratrol and NVP BEZ-235 induces a cytostatic and not cytotoxic response up to 18 h in these cell lines. We extended these findings up to 72 h with a proliferation assay and show that the effects of inhibition of the mTOR pathway are primarily mediated by the dephosphorylation of p70S6 kinase. We show that mTOR inhibition does not involve alteration of mTOR pathway components or induce caspase 9 cleavage. Preclinical studies including ovarian tissue of ovarian cancer patients, unaffected controls and patients with unrelated gynaecological conditions show that DEPTOR is reliably upregulated in ovarian cancer.

Cancer prevention and therapy through the modulation of the tumor microenvironment

Cancer arises in the context of an in vivo tumor microenvironment. This microenvironment is both a cause and consequence of tumorigenesis. Tumor and host cells co-evolve dynamically through indirect and direct cellular interactions, eliciting multiscale effects on many biological programs, including cellular proliferation, growth, and metabolism, as well as angiogenesis and hypoxia and innate and adaptive immunity. Here we highlight specific biological processes that could be exploited as targets for the prevention and therapy of cancer. Specifically, we describe how inhibition of targets such as cholesterol synthesis and metabolites, reactive oxygen species and hypoxia, macrophage activation and conversion, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase regulation of dendritic cells, vascular endothelial growth factor regulation of angiogenesis, fibrosis inhibition, endoglin, and Janus kinase signaling emerge as examples of important potential nexuses in the regulation of tumorigenesis and the tumor microenvironment that can be targeted. We have also identified therapeutic agents as approaches, in particular natural products such as berberine, resveratrol, onionin A, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, curcumin, naringenin, desoxyrhapontigenin, piperine, and zerumbone, that may warrant further investigation to target the tumor microenvironment for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Genomic instability in human cancer: Molecular insights and opportunities for therapeutic attack and prevention through diet and nutrition

Genomic instability can initiate cancer, augment progression, and influence the overall prognosis of the affected patient. Genomic instability arises from many different pathways, such as telomere damage, centrosome amplification, epigenetic modifications, and DNA damage from endogenous and exogenous sources, and can be perpetuating, or limiting, through the induction of mutations or aneuploidy, both enabling and catastrophic. Many cancer treatments induce DNA damage to impair cell division on a global scale but it is accepted that personalized treatments, those that are tailored to the particular patient and type of cancer, must also be developed. In this review, we detail the mechanisms from which genomic instability arises and can lead to cancer, as well as treatments and measures that prevent genomic instability or take advantage of the cellular defects caused by genomic instability. In particular, we identify and discuss five priority targets against genomic instability: (1) prevention of DNA damage; (2) enhancement of DNA repair; (3) targeting deficient DNA repair; (4) impairing centrosome clustering; and, (5) inhibition of telomerase activity. Moreover, we highlight vitamin D and B, selenium, carotenoids, PARP inhibitors, resveratrol, and isothiocyanates as priority approaches against genomic instability. The prioritized target sites and approaches were cross validated to identify potential synergistic effects on a number of important areas of cancer biology.

A multi-targeted approach to suppress tumor-promoting inflammation

Cancers harbor significant genetic heterogeneity and patterns of relapse following many therapies are due to evolved resistance to treatment. While efforts have been made to combine targeted therapies, significant levels of toxicity have stymied efforts to effectively treat cancer with multi-drug combinations using currently approved therapeutics. We discuss the relationship between tumor-promoting inflammation and cancer as part of a larger effort to develop a broad-spectrum therapeutic approach aimed at a wide range of targets to address this heterogeneity. Specifically, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, cyclooxygenase-2, transcription factor nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, protein kinase B, and CXC chemokines are reviewed as important antiinflammatory targets while curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, lycopene, and anthocyanins are reviewed as low-cost, low toxicity means by which these targets might all be reached simultaneously. Future translational work will need to assess the resulting synergies of rationally designed antiinflammatory mixtures (employing low-toxicity constituents), and then combine this with similar approaches targeting the most important pathways across the range of cancer hallmark phenotypes.

3,4',5-trans-Trimethoxystilbene; a natural analogue of resveratrol with enhanced anticancer potency

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin produced by many plant species as a defence mechanism. Over the last decade, this polyphenol has been reported to be active against multiple targets associated with chronic disorders. However, its poor pharmacokinetic profile, as well as multiple discrepancies related to its in vitro and in vivo profile, has resulted not only on the study of suitable delivery systems, but the use of resveratrol derivatives. In this regard, the 3,4',5-trans-trimethoxystilbene (TMS), a natural analogue of resveratrol, has emerged as a strong candidate. TMS has an enhanced anticancer profile compared to resveratrol, exhibiting higher potency than resveratrol, as shown by multiple reports describing an improved cancer cell proliferation inhibition, induction of cell cycle arrest, decreased metastasis, reduced angiogenesis, and increased apoptosis. In this review, we provide a concise summary of results reported in the literature, related to the similarities and differences between resveratrol and TMS, and we submit to the scientific community that TMS is a promising and (still) understudied natural agent candidate, with potential applications in cancer research. Nevertheless, based on the available evidence, we also submit to the scientific community that TMS may also find a niche in any other research area in which resveratrol has been used.

The pharmacology of resveratrol in animals and humans

In addition to thousands of research papers related to resveratrol (RSV), approximately 300 review articles have been published. Earlier research tended to focus on pharmacological activities of RSV related to cardiovascular systems, inflammation, and carcinogenesis/cancer development. More recently, the horizon has been broadened by exploring the potential effect of RSV on the aging process, diabetes, neurological dysfunction, etc. Herein, we primarily focus on the in vivo pharmacological effects of RSV reported over the past 5 years (2009-2014). In addition, recent clinical intervention studies performed with resveratrol are summarized. Some discrepancies exist between in vivo studies with animals and clinical studies, or between clinical studies, which are likely due to disparate doses of RSV, experimental settings, and subject variation. Nevertheless, many positive indications have been reported with mammals, so it is reasonable to advocate for the conduct of more definitive clinical studies. Since the safety profile is pristine, an added advantage is the use of RSV as a dietary supplement. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Resveratrol: Challenges in translating pre-clinical findings to improved patient outcomes.

Effect of processing, post-harvest irradiation, and production system on the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of Vitis labrusca L. juices in HTC cells

The juices of grapes (Vitis labrusca L.) are similar to the fruit itself because the main constituents of the fruit are present in the juice. However, their quality characteristics may be modified by the harsh technological processes used for the production of integral food, such as production systems of raw materials and post-harvest treatment of grapes with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Therefore, the present study analyzed juices produced naturally (by liquefying the fruit) or by the technological process of extraction by steam distillation (90°C) of grapes from organic and conventional production systems that were untreated or treated with UV type C (65.6 J/m² for 10 minutes). Using cultures of Rattus norvegicus hepatoma cells (HTC) in vitro, cytotoxic effects were assayed by the MTT test and by calculating the cytokinesis blocked proliferation index (CBPI), and mutagenic effects were measured by the cytokinesis block micronucleus assay. The results of the MTT assay and the CBPIs indicated that none of the juices were cytotoxic, including those that induced cell proliferation. The results of the micronucleus assay showed that none of the juices were mutagenic. However, the average number of micronuclei was lower in the juices produced from organic grapes, and cell proliferation, soluble acids and phenolic compounds were significantly higher. Compared with the natural juices, the integral juices of conventional grapes showed a higher average number of micronuclei as well as lower stimulation of cell proliferation and lower levels of bioactive compounds. The results demonstrate a beneficial effect of UV-C irradiation of post-harvest grapes in stimulating the synthesis of nutraceutical compounds without generating cytotoxic or mutagenic substances. Taken together, our findings support the consumption of grape juice and the application of food production techniques that enhance its nutritional value and promote its production, marketing and consumption.

Biological significance and therapeutic implication of resveratrol-inhibited Wnt, Notch and STAT3 signaling in cervical cancer cells

Cervical cancers/CCs are one of the commonest malignancies and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Resveratrol inhibits CC cell growth but its molecular target(s) remains unclear. Since the signaling pathways mediated by STAT3, Notch1 and Wnt2 play beneficial roles in CC formation and progression, the effects of resveratrol on them in cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and squamous cell carcinoma (SiHa) cells were analyzed. The biological significances of the above signaling for HeLa and SiHa cells were evaluated by treating the cells with STAT3, Wnt or Notch selective inhibitors. The frequencies of STAT3, Notch and Wnt activations in 68 cases of CC specimens and 38 non-cancerous cervical epithelia were examined by tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical staining. The results revealed that HeLa and SiHa cells treated by 100μM resveratrol showed extensive apoptosis, accompanied with suppression of STAT3, Notch and Wnt activations. Growth inhibition and apoptosis were found in HeLa and SiHa populations treated by AG490, a STAT3/JAK3 inhibitor but not the ones treated by Notch inhibitor L-685,458 or by Wnt inhibitor XAV-939. Immunohistochemical staining performed on the tissue microarrays showed that the frequencies of Notch1, Notch2, Hes1, Wnt2, Wnt5a and p-STAT3 detection as well as β-catenin nuclear translocation in CC samples were significantly higher than that of noncancerous group (p<0.01), while the expression rate of PIAS3 was remarkably low in cancer samples (p<0.01). Our results thus demonstrate that STAT3, Wnt and Notch signaling are frequently co-activated in human CC cells and specimens and resveratrol can concurrently inhibit those signaling activations and meanwhile lead cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma cells to growth arrest and apoptosis. STAT3 signaling is more critical for CC cells and is the major target of resveratrol because selective inhibition of STAT3 rather than Wnt or Notch activation commits SiHa and HeLa cells to apoptosis.