Bosellia serrata-induced apoptosis is related with ER stress and calcium release.

It has been reported that the gum resin of Boswellia serrata (BS), which has been shown to have antiinflammatory properties, might also have anticancer effects. This study examined the potential of BS as an anticancer agent. The BS extract induces apoptosis in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells, as confirmed by two apoptosis analyses, Hoechst staining and Annexin V/PI assay. Among the apoptosis pathways, the ER stress-associated mechanism was examined to determine its role in BS-induced apoptosis. The expression of GRP78 and CHOP, which are representatives of the ER stress proteins, and the calcium-binding protein-calpain were determined. The results showed significantly higher levels of both GRP78 and CHOP, and stronger calpain activity in the BS-treated cells than in the control cells. This shows that there is a correlation between ER stress signaling and apoptosis, which suggests the possibility of the BS-ER stress initiator as an anticancer therapeutic agent in human cervical carcinoma.