title: Pulsatilla saponin A, an active molecule from Pulsatilla chinensis, induces cancer cell death and inhibits tumor growth in mouse xenograft models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many natural compounds possess antitumor growth activities. Pulsatilla chinensis is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat infectious diseases. More recently, extracts from P chinensis have been shown to contain antitumor activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we isolated Pulsatilla saponin A as an active compound from P chinensis extracts and tested its anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In cell culture, Pulsatilla saponin A significantly inhibited the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMCC-7721 cells and pancreatic BXPC3 and SW1990 cancer cells. Similar inhibitory activities were observed when the compound was tested in mouse xenograft tumor models using human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 and pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells. In Comet assay and flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution and annexin V expression, DNA damage, G2 arrest, and apoptosis were identified in Pulsatilla saponin A-treated cancer cells. Based on the results of Western blotting, p53 and cyclin B protein levels were higher, whereas Bcl-2 protein levels were lower in Pulsatilla saponin A-treated cancer cells than in vehicle-treated cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulsatilla saponin A may exert its antitumor effect by inducing DNA damage and causing G2 arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. Pulsatilla saponin A and its derivatives may be developed as a new class of anticancer agents.
authors.affiliation: Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Weichang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jianquan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qingyu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. Electronic address: liuyanli@suda.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yanli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Lab Medicine and Pharmacy, Suzhou Health College, Suzhou, China. Electronic address: qixf-sz@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Xiaofei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000032:analysis; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031946:Pulsatilla / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; C000588664:Pulsatilla saponin A
keywords: Apoptosis; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Natural compounds; Pancreatic cancer; Pulsatilla saponin A