[Effect of ursolic acid on caspase-3 and PARP expression of human MCF-7 cells].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of ursolic acid (UA), apentacyclic triterpene acid, on MCF-7 cell apoptosis, and probable mechanism involved by detecting the expressions of caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP) at protein level.


METHODS
MCF-7 cells were cultured with different concentrations of UA. Growth inhibition of UA on 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 Ho 33258 staining by a fluorescence microscope (EX: U. V.). The protein expression of caspase-3 and PARP was analyzed by immunofluorescence cell staining (SABC-Cy3).


RESULTS
24 hours after UA treatment, inhibition of MCF-7 cell growth was concentration-dependent. The IC50 value for UA was (22.6 +/- 3.0) micromo x L(-1). Cell cycle anaysis by FCM showed that 50 micromol x L(-1) of UA arrested MCF-7 cell cycle at G0 - G1 phase. Morphological changes of MCF-7 Cells exhibited many of the hallmark features of apoptosis, including chromatin clumps and aggregation and DNA fragmentation. UA increased caspase-3 protein expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that UA evokes MCF-7 cell apoptosis is correlation with the up-regulation of caspase-3. Our study indicated that UA might be a potential Chinese medical component for breast neoplasm.
Zhang
Gui-Ping
GP
Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510182, China. pharmpaul@sohu.com
Lu
Yin-Yan
YY
Lv
Jia-Chun
JC
Ou
Hui-Jian
HJ
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000097245:Ursolic Acid
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; D014315:Triterpenes; D000097245:Ursolic Acid; C505407:CASP3 protein, human