Ursolic acid potentiated oxaliplatin to induce apoptosis in colorectal cancer RKO cells

Pharmazie. 2020 Jun 1;75(6):246-249. doi: 10.1691/ph.2020.0417.

Abstract

Ursolic acid (UA) is found in multiple anticancer herbs and has shown anticancer effects in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The present study aimed to observe the effects of a combination of UA and oxaliplatin (Oxa), a frequently used chemotherapeutic drug in CRC, on human CRC RKO cells. The results showed that UA and Oxa synergistically inhibited the proliferation of RKO cells. A combination of UA and Oxa induced apoptosis in RKO cells and increased the activities of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9. Z-VAD-FMK, a caspase inhibitor, significantly antagonized UA- and Oxa-activated caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 and induced apoptosis. In addition, UA and Oxa downregulated the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and Survivin in RKO cells. These observations suggested that a combination of UA and Oxa elicited synergistically anticancer effects in RKO cells and provided new evidence for potential application of UA and Oxa for CRC treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Oxaliplatin / administration & dosage
  • Survivin / genetics
  • Triterpenes / administration & dosage
  • Ursolic Acid
  • X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein / genetics

Substances

  • Survivin
  • Triterpenes
  • X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein
  • XIAP protein, human
  • Oxaliplatin