title: Euphorbia factor L2 induces apoptosis in A549 cells through the mitochondrial pathway.
abstract: Euphorbia factor L2, a lathyrane diterpenoid isolated from caper euphorbia seed (the seeds ofEuphorbia lathyrisL.), has been traditionally applied to treat cancer. This article focuses on the cytotoxic activity of Euphorbia factor L2 against lung carcinoma A549 cells and the mechanism by which apoptosis is induced. We analyzed the cytotoxicity and related mechanism of Euphorbia factor L2 with an MTT assay, an annexin V-FITC/PI test, a colorimetric assay, and immunoblotting. Euphorbia factor L2 showed potent cytotoxicity to A549 cells. Euphorbia factor L2 led to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, a loss of mitochondrial electrochemical potential, release of cytochromec,activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, suggesting that Euphorbia factor L2 induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway. The cytotoxic activity of Euphorbia factor L2 in A549 cells and the related mechanisms of apoptotic induction provide support for the further investigation of caper euphorbia seeds.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China.
authors.forename: Minting
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China.
authors.forename: Sili
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Hubiao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China.
authors.forename: Wenjing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China.
authors.forename: Jianye
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: Anticancer agent; Apoptosis; Caper euphorbia seed; Euphorbia Factor L2; Euphorbia lathyris L.; Mitochondrial pathway