Potential therapeutic roles of tanshinone IIA in human bladder cancer cells

Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Sep 4;15(9):15622-37. doi: 10.3390/ijms150915622.

Abstract

Tanshinone IIA (Tan-IIA), one of the major lipophilic components isolated from the root of Salviae Miltiorrhizae, has been found to exhibit anticancer activity in various cancer cells. We have demonstrated that Tan-IIA induces apoptosis in several human cancer cells through caspase- and mitochondria-dependent pathways. Here we explored the anticancer effect of Tan-IIA in human bladder cancer cell lines. Our results showed that Tan-IIA caused bladder cancer cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Tan-IIA induced apoptosis through the mitochondria-dependent pathway in these bladder cancer cells. Tan-IIA also suppressed the migration of bladder cancer cells as revealed by the wound healing and transwell assays. Finally, combination therapy of Tan-IIA with a lower dose of cisplatin successfully killed bladder cancer cells, suggesting that Tan-IIA can serve as a potential anti-cancer agent in bladder cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abietanes / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Humans
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / metabolism*

Substances

  • Abietanes
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • tanshinone
  • Cisplatin