Maslinic acid, a natural triterpene from Olea europaea L., induces apoptosis in HT29 human colon-cancer cells via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
We have investigated the mechanisms of maslinic acid with regard to its inhibitory effects on the growth of HT29 colon-cancer cells. High concentrations of maslinic acid are present in the protective wax-like coating of olives. Our results show that treatment with maslinic acid results in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and causes apoptotic death in colon-cancer cells. We found that it inhibits considerably the expression of Bcl-2 whilst increasing that of Bax; it also stimulates the release of mitochondrial cytochrome-c and activates caspase-9 and caspase-3. All these results point clearly to the activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in response to the treatment of HT29 colon-cancer cells with maslinic acid. Our results suggest that maslinic acid has the potential to provide significant natural defence against colon-cancer.
Reyes-Zurita
Fernando J
FJ
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Rufino-Palomares
Eva E
EE
Lupiáñez
José A
JA
Cascante
Marta
M
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D031658:Olea / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D045304:Cytochromes c; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014315:Triterpenes; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C412811:maslinic acid; D009828:Oleanolic Acid