[Experimental study on MCF-7 cell apoptosis induced by ursolic acid].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of ursolic acid (UA), apentacyclic triterpene acid, on MCF-7 cell apoptosis.


METHODS
MCF-7 cells were cultured with different concentrations of UA. Viability of UA-induced MCF-7 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell cycle and sub-G1 peak were performed by FCM. Morphologic changes of UA-treated cells were observed by light microscope. Apoptotic cells with condensed or fragmented nuclei were visualized by Ho33258 and PI staining by a fluorescence microscope (EX: U.V., Green light). p 53 protein expression was analyzed by fluorescence immunohistochemical method (SABC-Cy3).


RESULTS
24 hours after UA treatment, inhibition of MCF-7 cell proliferation was concentration-dependent. The IC50 value for UA was 22.6 +/- 3.0 micromol/L. Cell cycle analysis by FCM showed that 50 micromol/L of the drug arrested MCF-7 cell cycle at G0-G1 phase. Morphological changes of MCF-7 cells exhibited many of the hallmark features of apoptosis, including condensation of chromatin and DNA fragmentation. UA increased p 53 protein expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that UA evokes MCF-7 cell apoptosis is correlation with the up-regulation of p 53. The study indicated that UA might be a potential Chinese medical component for breast neoplasm.
Zhang
Weiwen
W
Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510182.
Li
Yinyan
Y
Zhang
Guiping
G
Lü
Jiachun
J
Ou
Huijian
H
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D000097245:Ursolic Acid
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D014315:Triterpenes; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D000097245:Ursolic Acid