23-hydroxyursolic acid causes cell growth-inhibition by inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis in human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

There are few reports on the biological activities of 23-hydroxyursolic acid (23-HUA). The mechanism of growth-inhibition induced by 23-HUA, isolated from Cussonia bancoensis, in human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells is hereby investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The growth-inhibitory activity was measured by MTS assay. Caspases activation and expression of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting. Apoptotic cells were observed by morphological analysis with Hoechst 33342.

RESULTS:

23-HUA inhibited the growth of HeLa cells in a concentration dependent manner. Proteolytically generated fragments of caspase-3, -8 and -9 were observed in HeLa cells treated with 60 microM 23-HUA. The expression of Bcl-X(L), an anti-apoptotic protein, was markedly decreased by 60 microM 23-HUA. Morphological analysis showed that apoptotic changes occurred after treatment with 60 microM 23-HUA, and the changes were inhibited by a pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK.

CONCLUSION:

These results indicate that 23-HUA causes potent growth-inhibition by the induction of apoptosis via activation of caspases in HeLa cells.

• Authors: Makiko Takaya, Masaaki Nomura, Tatsuo Takahashi, Yoko Kondo, Kyung-Tae Lee, Shinjiro Kobayashi
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 29 Issue 4 Pg. 995-1000 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 19414337 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• FADD protein, human
• Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• Triterpenes
• 23-hydroxyursolic acid
• Caspases

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Blotting, Western
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein (metabolism)
• Female
• HeLa Cells (metabolism, pathology)
• Humans
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (metabolism)
• Triterpenes (pharmacology)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured