Cbl-regulated Akt and ERK signals are involved in β-elemene-induced cell apoptosis in lung cancer cells.

β-elemene is an active component of a natural plant-derived antineoplastic agent. Although the anticancer activity of β-elemene has been reported, its antitumor mechanism has not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate how Cbl-regulated Akt and ERK affect β-elemene-induced cell apoptosis in lung cancer cells. In the present study, β-elemene induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in A549 cells. Moreover, β-elemene decreased bcl-2 expression, increased bax expression and caused the cleavage of PARP. However, β-elemene also induced the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK in a short period of time. The inhibition of Akt and ERK activation rapidly enhanced β-elemene-induced apoptosis, and the up-regulation of c-Cbl and Cbl-b expression was also detected. These results suggest that Cbl-regulated Akt and ERK signals are involved in β-elemene-induced cell apoptosis in lung cancer cells.