Isatin inhibits the proliferation and invasion of SH‑SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract Isatin has been shown to initiate apoptotic processes in SH‑SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether isatin is also able to alter the proliferation and migratory ability of SH‑SY5Y cells. The results demonstrated that the proportion of SH‑SY5Y cells in G1 phase was significantly increased following treatment with isatin for 48 h with simultaneous downregulation of cyclin D1 expression. In addition, isatin significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion, along with decreases in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 expression. In addition, isatin reduced the levels of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p‑STAT3) in a concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrated that isatin induces G1‑phase arrest in SH‑SY5Y cells, possibly by decreasing cyclin D1 expression as well as inhibiting their migration and invasiveness, probably by reducing MMP2 and MMP9. These effects may be exerted by isatin via a downregulating the levels of pSTAT3.