Cucurbitacin B induces apoptosis and S phase cell cycle arrest in BEL-7402 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and is effective via oral administration.
Cucurbitacin B is an anti-cancer drug candidate and its efficacy has been demonstrated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To explore its mechanism against HCC, BEL-7402 cells were treated with cucurbitacin B in vitro. Treatment with cucurbitacin B induced S phase arrest and apoptosis. The growth inhibition effect was associated with cyclin D1 and cdc-2 down regulations. Western blotting analysis of cell signaling molecules indicated that cucurbitacin B inhibited c-Raf activation without affecting STAT3 phosphorylation. Moreover, in vivo study demonstrated that cucurbitacin B is effective against BEL-7402 xenograft when administrated orally.
Department of Technology and Product Development, CK Life Sciences Int'l., (Holdings) Inc., 2 Dai Fu Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Hong Kong SAR, China. tak.chan@ck-lifesciences.com
Kin Tak
KT
Chan
Fan Yan
FY
Meng
Qian
Q
Li
Cheong Yip
CY
Ho
Tsz Shan
TS
Lam
Yu
Y
To
Wai Him
WH
Lee
Miao
M
Li
Kee Hung
KH
Chu
Melvin
M
Toh
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / Q000378:metabolism; D016196:S Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D014315:Triterpenes; C474429:cucurbitacin C; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf