Machilin D, a lignin derived from Saururus chinensis, suppresses breast cancer stem cells and inhibits NF-κB signaling

Cancer stem cells are responsible for breast cancer initiation, metastasis, and relapse. Targeting breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) using phytochemicals is a good strategy for the treatment of cancer. A silica gel, a reversed-phase C18 column (ODS), a Sephadex LH-20 gel, thin layer chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for compound isolation from Saururus chinensis extracts. The isolated compound was identified as machilin D by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Machilin D inhibited the growth and mammosphere formation of breast cancer cells and inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Machilin D reduced the proportions of CD44⁺/CD24^- and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1)-positive cells. Furthermore, this compound reduced the nuclear localization of the NF-κB protein and decreased the IL-6 and IL-8 secretion in mammospheres. These results suggest that machilin D blocks IL-6 and IL-8 signaling and induces CSC death and thus may be a potential agent targeting BCSCs.