Qiang Liu1, Weichang Chen2, Yang Jiao3, Jianquan Hou4, Qingyu Wu5, Yanli Liu6, Xiaofei Qi7. 1. Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. 2. Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. 3. School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. 4. Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. 5. Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. 6. College of Pharmacy, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. Electronic address: liuyanli@suda.edu.cn. 7. Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Lab Medicine and Pharmacy, Suzhou Health College, Suzhou, China. Electronic address: qixf-sz@hotmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many natural compounds possess antitumor growth activities. Pulsatilla chinensis is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat infectious diseases. More recently, extracts from P chinensis have been shown to contain antitumor activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we isolated Pulsatilla saponin A as an active compound from P chinensis extracts and tested its anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: In cell culture, Pulsatilla saponin A significantly inhibited the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMCC-7721 cells and pancreatic BXPC3 and SW1990 cancer cells. Similar inhibitory activities were observed when the compound was tested in mouse xenograft tumor models using human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 and pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells. In Comet assay and flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution and annexin V expression, DNA damage, G2 arrest, and apoptosis were identified in Pulsatilla saponin A-treated cancer cells. Based on the results of Western blotting, p53 and cyclin B protein levels were higher, whereas Bcl-2 protein levels were lower in Pulsatilla saponin A-treated cancer cells than in vehicle-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Pulsatilla saponin A may exert its antitumor effect by inducing DNA damage and causing G2 arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. Pulsatilla saponin A and its derivatives may be developed as a new class of anticancer agents. Crown
BACKGROUND: Many natural compounds possess antitumor growth activities. Pulsatilla chinensis is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat infectious diseases. More recently, extracts from P chinensis have been shown to contain antitumor activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we isolated Pulsatillasaponin A as an active compound from P chinensis extracts and tested its anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: In cell culture, Pulsatillasaponin A significantly inhibited the growth of humanhepatocellular carcinoma SMCC-7721 cells and pancreatic BXPC3 and SW1990 cancer cells. Similar inhibitory activities were observed when the compound was tested in mouse xenograft tumor models using humanhepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 and pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells. In Comet assay and flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution and annexin V expression, DNA damage, G2 arrest, and apoptosis were identified in Pulsatillasaponin A-treated cancer cells. Based on the results of Western blotting, p53 and cyclin B protein levels were higher, whereas Bcl-2 protein levels were lower in Pulsatillasaponin A-treated cancer cells than in vehicle-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS:Pulsatillasaponin A may exert its antitumor effect by inducing DNA damage and causing G2 arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. Pulsatillasaponin A and its derivatives may be developed as a new class of anticancer agents. Crown