title: Growth inhibition and apoptosis-inducing effect on human cancer cells             by RCE-4, a spirostanol saponin derivative from natural medicines.
abstract: Reineckia carnea has been used to treat several diseases in folk remedies.             RCE-4 has been isolated from several plants of the family Liliaceae, but its biological             activity has not yet been reported. In the present study, we found that RCE-4             exhibited potent cytotoxicity to the tested human cancer cell lines, and the CaSki             cell line was the most sensitive with an IC50 of 3.37 µM. Thus, we presented the             apoptosis-inducing effect of RCE-4 on CaSki cervical cancer cells and investigated             the relevant mechanisms. Based on observations using transmission electron microscopy,             RCE-4-treated cells manifested nuclear shrinkage, condensation and fragmentation.             Annexin V/PI dual staining flow cytometry assay further confirmed that RCE-4 caused             a dose-dependent early apoptotic effect. Prior to these events, RCE-4 triggered             a rapid decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential and caused the release             of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm. RCE-4 increased the             expression of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl-2, thus augmenting the Bax/Bcl-2             ratio. These findings suggest that RCE-4 induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis             in CaSki cells and has the potential to be developed as an anticancer agent.
authors.affiliation: Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Products Research and Development, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China.
authors.forename: Guiping
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wenfeng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Haibo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xuejiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Junzhi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Jianfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004285:Dogs; D019073:HT29 Cells; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D019668:Liliaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D061985:Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013150:Spirostans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C494826:BAX protein, human; D010936:Plant Extracts; C580846:RCE-4 compound; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012503:Saponins; D013150:Spirostans; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D045304:Cytochromes c