Abstract |
Phytochemicals used in cancer therapy and prevention are an important source. Betulinic acid (BetA), a lupine-type pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin from plants, has shown anti- tumor activity in some cell lines in previous studies. In this paper, its anti- tumor effect and the possible mechanisms were investigated in U14 tumor-bearing mice. The results showed that BetA (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) effectively suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Compared with the control group, BetA significantly improved the levels of IL-2 and TNF-alpha in tumor-bearing mice and increased the number of CD4+ lymphocytes subsets, as well as the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Furthermore, treatment with BetA induced cells apoptosis in dose-dependent manner in tumor bearing mice, and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 and Ki-67 protein while upregulated the expression of caspase-8 protein. The mechanisms by which BetA exerted anti- tumor effects might involve the induction of tumor cell apoptosis. This process is also related to improvement of body's immune response.
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Authors | Peijun Wang, Qingwang Li, Kun Li, Xiaobo Zhang, Zengsheng Han, Jianjie Wang, Dawei Gao, Jian Li |
Journal | Die Pharmazie
(Pharmazie)
Vol. 67
Issue 8
Pg. 733-9
(Aug 2012)
ISSN: 0031-7144 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 22957441
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
- Interleukin-2
- Ki-67 Antigen
- Pentacyclic Triterpenes
- Triterpenes
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- Caspase 8
- Betulinic Acid
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
(pharmacology)
- Apoptosis
(drug effects)
- CD4 Lymphocyte Count
- Caspase 8
(biosynthesis)
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Female
- Genes, bcl-2
(drug effects)
- In Situ Nick-End Labeling
- Interleukin-2
(metabolism)
- Ki-67 Antigen
(biosynthesis)
- Kidney
(pathology)
- Liver
(pathology)
- Mice
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Neoplasms, Experimental
(drug therapy)
- Pentacyclic Triterpenes
- Triterpenes
(pharmacology)
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(metabolism)
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
(drug therapy, immunology, pathology)
- Betulinic Acid
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