Research:

Summary of research:

Resveratrol inhibits bladder cancer proliferation by targeting the AURKA/STAT3 axis: From computational analysis to experimental validation

(Resveratrol inhibits the proliferation of bladder cancer through the AURKA/STAT3 axis)

This article, published in the journal PLOS ONE in 2026, studied the effect of Resveratrol (a polyphenol) on bladder cancer cells (Bladder Cancer (BCa)) and discovered an important mechanism related to the proteins AURKA and STAT3, which stimulate the division and survival of cancer cells.

Objectives of the study

Bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate. and standard treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or medication given into the bladder. There are many side effects. Researchers therefore want to find natural substances that are safer.

This research aims to prove how resveratrol can stop bladder cancer. And which protein is the main target of this substance?

Important mechanism discovered

1. AURKA is the main target of Resveratrol.

AURKA (Aurora Kinase A) is an enzyme that helps cells divide.

It has been found to be at abnormally high levels in many types of cancer. including bladder cancer

Resveratrol can bind to and inhibit AURKA.

2. STAT3 inhibition

AURKA activates STAT3, an important transcription factor in cancer.

STAT3 causes cancer cells to make proteins that help them grow and avoid death.

3. Reduce the expression of cancer-causing genes.

When STAT3 is inhibited, the following genes are reduced:

VEGF → Reduces the creation of blood vessels to feed the cancer tumor.

Bcl-2 → reduces resistance to cell death.

Cyclin D1 → reduces cell division

Experimental method

The researchers used both computer analysis and laboratory experiments. using human bladder cancer cells such as T24 and 5637

The test includes:

Molecular docking to determine the binding site of Resveratrol

CCK-8 assay measures cell viability.

Flow cytometry analyzes cell cycle and apoptosis.

Immunofluorescence to check STAT3 levels

Western blot and qPCR detect protein and gene levels.

Important research results

Resveratrol can:

Inhibits cancer cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Stop the cell cycle Makes cells unable to divide

Stimulates cancer cells to enter the apoptosis process.

Reduces the activity of AURKA and STAT3

Reduces VEGF, Bcl-2 and Cyclin D1

Comparison with MLN8237

The researchers used MLN8237 (Alisertib), a direct AURKA inhibitor, and found that it had similar effects to Resveratrol, confirming that AURKA is an important target of Resveratrol.

clinical meaning

Studies indicate that Resveratrol is a natural substance that has the potential to:

Prevents the growth of bladder cancer.

Reduce the chance of recurrence

Use in conjunction with standard treatment

It is the basis for the development of multi-target cancer drugs.

Easy to understand summary

Resveratrol acts like an “off switch” on the AURKA protein, which is a STAT3 activator. When STAT3 is turned off, cancer cells:

divides more slowly

Creates fewer blood vessels

Loss of ability to avoid death and finally died

> “Resveratrol directly inhibits bladder cancer. By turning off the AURKA/STAT3 signal, which is a key pathway that allows cancer cells to grow and survive.”