Pulsatilla saponin A, an active molecule from Pulsatilla chinensis, induces cancer cell death and inhibits tumor growth in mouse xenograft models

Qiang Liu; Weichang Chen; Yang Jiao; Jianquan Hou; Qingyu Wu; Yanli Liu; Xiaofei Qi

doi:10.1016/j.jss.2014.01.026

Pulsatilla saponin A, an active molecule from Pulsatilla chinensis, induces cancer cell death and inhibits tumor growth in mouse xenograft models

J Surg Res. 2014 May 15;188(2):387-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2014.01.026. Epub 2014 Jan 24.

Authors

Qiang Liu¹, Weichang Chen², Yang Jiao³, Jianquan Hou⁴, Qingyu Wu⁵, Yanli Liu⁶, Xiaofei Qi⁷

Affiliations

¹ 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.
² Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
³ School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
⁴ Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
⁵ Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
⁶ College of Pharmacy, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. Electronic address: liuyanli@suda.edu.cn.
⁷ 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.

PMID: 24576780
DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2014.01.026

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.

Materials and 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.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Natural compounds; Pancreatic cancer; Pulsatilla saponin A.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Annexin A5 / analysis
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification*
Cell Cycle / drug effects
Cell Death / physiology
Cell Line, Tumor
Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
DNA Damage
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Phytotherapy*
Plant Extracts / pharmacology
Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
Pulsatilla / chemistry*
Saponins / chemistry*
Saponins / isolation & purification
Saponins / pharmacology
Saponins / therapeutic use
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

Annexin A5
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
Plant Extracts
Saponins
Pulsatilla saponin A