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PubMedDate not supplied

Antiproliferative and antiviral mechanisms of ursolic acid and dexamethasone in cervical carcinoma cell lines.

The chemical structure of ursolic acid is very similar to that of dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid. Herein, we investigated the antiproliferative and antiviral effects of ursolic acid and dexamethasone in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical cancer cells. We performed 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazonium bromide assay to measure antiproliferative activity, and also characterized apoptosis by DNA fragmentation, 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and flow cytometry (FACS) analysis. We investigated apoptosis-related proteins using western blots. After in vitro treatment, we used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for the expression of the HPV E6/E7 gene to observe the antiviral effects. Ursolic acid suppressed the growth of HPV-positive cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa, CaSki, and SiHa) in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but not the HPV-negative cervical cancer cell line (C33A). Ursolic acid-treated HeLa cells showed typical apoptosis characteristics in DNA fragmentation, DAPI staining, and FACS analysis. The expression of Fas protein was induced, and caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) proteins were cleaved after ursolic acid treatment. HPV-18 E6/E7 gene expression decreased after ursolic acid treatment in HeLa cells, but the levels of p53 and Rb proteins did not change. In contrast, dexamethasone, which has a similar structure, did not inhibit proliferation. Our findings may offer new insight into the mechanism of antiproliferative and antiviral effect of ursolic acid. Also, these results suggest that ursolic acid might be a useful anticancer drug in treatment of HPV-associated cervical neoplasia.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1999

[Experimental study on apoptosis induced by ursolic acid isolated from asparagus in HL-60 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibitory effect of ursolic acid isolated from Asparagus on the proliferation of HL-60 cells. METHODS: Effects of ursolic acid on the growth and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay, DNA gel electrophoresis and morphology observation respectively. RESULTS: The IC50 value of ursolic acid for HL-60 cells was found to be 8.26 mumol/L and 10-50 mumol/L of ursolic acid could induce apoptosis of HL-60 cells expressed to ursolic acid for 1 day. CONCLUSION: Ursolic acid can markedly inhibit HL-60 cells as well as induction of cells apoptosis.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed2000

Ursolic acid inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 transcription in human mammary epithelial cells.

We investigated the effects of ursolic acid, a chemopreventive agent, on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated human mammary and oral epithelial cells. Treatment with ursolic acid suppressed PMA-mediated induction of COX-2 protein and synthesis of prostaglandin E2. Ursolic acid also suppressed the induction of COX-2 mRNA by PMA. Nuclear run-offs revealed increased rates of COX-2 transcription after treatment with PMA, an effect that was inhibited by ursolic acid. Transient transfections indicated that the effects of PMA were mediated by a cyclic AMP response element in the COX-2 promoter. Ursolic acid inhibited PMA-mediated activation of protein kinase C, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases. Treatment with PMA increased activator protein-1 activity and the binding of c-Jun to the cyclic AMP response element of the COX-2 promoter, effects that were blocked by ursolic acid. These data are important for understanding the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of ursolic acid.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1993

Phytochemical studies of seeds of medicinal plants. III. Ursolic acid and oleanolic acid glycosides from seeds of Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fischer.

Three isomeric pairs of ursolic acid (1, 3, and 5) and oleanolic acid (2, 4, and 6) glycosides were isolated as predominant constituents from seeds of Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fischer (Valerianaceae). Based on chemical and spectral evidence, their structures were established to be 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ursolic acid (1) and oleanolic acid (2), 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ursolic acid (3) and oleanolic acid (4), and 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->3)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ursolic acid (5) and oleanolic acid (6), respectively. Glycosides 1, 5, and 6 are new compounds and named as patrinia-glycosides A-I, B-I, and B-II, respectively. Glycoside 3 is a known but is the first naturally occurring product. Ursolic acid glycosides were first found from this plant specimen.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MCF-7 cell cycle arrested at G1 through ursolic acid, and increased reduction of tetrazolium salts.

The effect of ursolic acid on the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast tumor cells was studied. During investigations of the anti-proliferative effects of this triterpene, we observed a clear difference between MTT colorimetric assay and direct cell counting, particularly 24 h after drug treatment. The MTT assay showed a stimulation of formazan production in the first 24 h exposure of cells to drug. The maximum stimulation was obtained with 15 and 20 microM of ursolic acid (about 30 - 40% of increase with respect to control); however, the number of cells was not increased as revealed by direct cell counting. Ursolic acid is a potent inhibitor of MCF-7 cell proliferation. This triterpene exhibits both cytostatic and cytotoxic activity. It exerts an early cytostatic effect at G1 followed by cell death. Cell cycle analysis is performed by propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry technique. These results suggest that alterations in cell cycle phase redistribution of MCF-7 human breast cancer, by ursolic acid, may significantly influence MTT reduction to formazan.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed2004

Ursolic acid protects hippocampal neurons against kainate-induced excitotoxicity in rats.

Ursolic acid is the major component of extracts of the Chinese herb, Souyang. This study determines whether and how ursolic acid protects against kainate-induced excitotoxicity in rat hippocampus. Primary neuronal cultures of cells isolated from the hippocampi of 7-day-old rats were treated with 150 microM kainate. After 2 h of treatment, free radicals were elevated and mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced significantly, and after 12 h, cell viability was decreased. Pretreatment with 5-15 microM ursolic acid dose-dependently and significantly attenuated the kainate-induced damage as well as alleviating the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and suppressing the increase in free radical generation. The results suggest that multiple mechanisms including modulation of AMPA receptor, protection of mitochondria, decrease in free radical generation, and scavenging of free radicals might be involved in ursolic acid protection against kainate-induced cell toxicity.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Inhibitory effect of ursolic acid purified from Origanum majorana L on the acetylcholinesterase.

We screened 139 herbal spices in search of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor from natural resources. AChE inhibitors, which enhance cholinergic transmission by reducing the enzymatic degradation of acetylcholine, are the only source of compound currently approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Among these herbs, edible plants and spices, the ethanol extract from Origanum majorana L. showed the highest inhibitory effect on AChE in vitro. By sequential fractionation of Origanum majorana L. the active component was finally identified as ursolic acid (3 beta-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid). The ursolic acid of Origanum majorana L. inhibited AChE activity in a dose-dependent and competitive/non-competitive type. The Ki value (representing the affinity of the enzyme and inhibitor) of Origanum majorana L. ursolic acid was 6 pM, and that of tacrine was 0.4 nM. The concentration required for 50% enzyme inhibition of the active component (IC50 value) was 7.5 nM, and that of tacrine was 1 nM. This study demonstrated that the ursolic acid of Origanum majorana L. appeared to be a potent AChE inhibitor in Alzheimer's Disease.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed2005

Molecular mechanism of ursolic acid induced apoptosis in poorly differentiated endometrial cancer HEC108 cells.

We studied the effect of ursolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene acid, on the growth of poorly differentiated type endometrial cancer HEC108 cells in vitro. Ursolic acid strongly inhibited the growth of HEC108 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis were observed in ursolic acid-treated cells, such as the presence of apoptotic bodies and fragmentation of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments. Investigation of caspase activity in ursolic acid-treated HEC108 cells showed that exposure at 50, 75 or 100 microM induced marked increases in caspase-3 activity (after 24 h) to 5.00, 11.76 or 12.75 times that of control levels, while cleaved caspase-3 levels increased in dose-dependent manner after 24 h. Activation of caspase was shown to lead to the cleavage of target proteins such as PARP. Ursolic acid treatment also resulted in a cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in a dose-dependent manner. Testing whether caspase-3 activation and DNA polymerase activity were inhibited by the addition of Ac-DEDV-HOC during ursolic acid treatment showed that 50 microM Ac-DEDV-HOC inhibited caspase-3 activity in treated cells. A mitochondrial pathway has been suggested to be involved in ursolic acid-induced apoptosis because the treatment induces mitochondria cytochrome c release. Experimentally, we found that anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein levels decreased after ursolic acid treatment, while Bax expression increased. Our results indicated that ursolic acid induced apoptotic processes in these poorly differentiated endometrial cancer cells occurs through mechanisms involving mitochondrial pathways and Bcl-2 family proteins.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed2001

Pharmacological modification of endogenous antioxidant enzymes by ursolic acid on tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats and primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible protective effects of ursolic acid against CCl4-induced alterations of antioxidant defence enzymes in vivo as well as its effects against CCl4-intoxication in vitro. Pre-treatment of rats with ursolic acid significantly reduced serum levels of glutamate-oxalate-transaminase and glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase previously increased by administration of CCl4. Treatment with ursolic acid also significantly reversed the decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase activities and glutathione levels in the liver, as the concentration of reduced glutathione was increased and the content of oxidized glutathione decreased in ursolic acid treated groups. Levels of lipid peroxidation were higher in the CCl4 group but the increase was also reduced after drug treatment (p < 0.01 for 1, 2.5 and 5 mmol/kg). In vitro results indicated that addition to the culture medium of ursolic acid (p < 0.01 for 500 microM) resulted in a reduction of glutamate-oxalate-transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase activities and in a good survival rate for the CCl4-intoxicated hepatocytes. Ursolic acid also ameliorated lipid peroxidation in primary cultured rat hepatocytes exposed to CCl4, as demonstrated by a reduction in malondialdehyde production. Moreover, ursolic acid (50-500 microM) showed radical scavenging properties in terms of hydroxyl formation. The results obtained suggest that ursolic acid treatment can normalize the disturbed antioxidant status of rats intoxicated with CCl4 by maintaining the levels of glutathione and by inhibiting the production of malondialdehyde due to its radical scavenging properties.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed2002

[Comparative study of the spectral characteristics of ursolic acid between laser Raman spectra and IR spectrum].

In this article, HRD2 double-beam grating monochromator was used to record the laser Raman spectra of the ursolic acid and get the Raman spectral characteristics of the ursolic acid; Philips 100 double-beam grating monochronmator was used to record the IR spectra of the ursolic acid and get the IR spectral characteristics of the ursolic acid; the relationship of the wave peaks and the structural characteristics between the Raman spectra and IR spectra was analyzed, the attribution of the functional groups in the structural characteristics of ursolic acid was basically defined, providing two basic spectra areas (area A: 1,386, 1,370, 1,363 cm-1, and area B: 1,304, 1,269, 1,237 cm-1), which identify the matter of ursolic acid; the comparison was made between the Raman spectra and the IR spectra, and showed that Raman spectra are much more informative in structural characteristics than the IR spectra, and the main characteristic peaks of the IR spectra can be found, which correspond to peaks in the Raman spectra; the peaks in the Raman spectra are clear and distinguishable and are used to assign the functional groups easily. In addition to IR spectra, Raman spectra are used as an effective method to analyze natural herbs.

Lasers↗

PubMed2005

Ursolic acid induces Bax-dependent apoptosis through the caspase-3 pathway in endometrial cancer SNG-II cells.

The goal of this study was to examine the effect of ursolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound, on growth of the endometrial cancer cell line SNG-II. We found that ursolic acid strongly inhibited the growth of SNG-II cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Morpholgical changes characteristic of apoptosis were observed in treated cells, such as the presence of apoptotic bodies and fragmentation of DNA into oligonucleosomal-sized fragments. We also investigated the active forms of caspase-3, -8 and -9 in ursolic acid-treated SNG-II cells. At 25 and 50 microM strength, ursolic acid induced marked increases in caspase-3 activity to approximately 5-fold that of control cells. Levels of cleaved caspase-3 increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Activation of caspases also led to the cleavage of target proteins, such as PARP. Ursolic acid treatment also resulted in a cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in a dose-dependent manner. Testing whether caspase-3 activation and DNA polymerase activity were inhibited by addition of Ac-DEDV-HCO during ursolic acid treatment showed that 50 microM Ac-DEDV-HCO inhibited caspase-3 activity in treated cells. Although DNA fragmentation was observed after ursolic acid treatment, DNA fragmentation did not occur in SNG II cells treated with both Ac-DEDV-HCO and ursolic acid. Because some researchers have suggested that mitochondrial pathways are involved in ursolic acid-induced apoptosis secondary to induction of mitochondrial cytochrome c release, we studied mitochondrial events in ursolic acid-induced apoptosis in these cell lines. After ursolic acid treatment, the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein decreased and Bax expression was enhanced. Our results indicated that ursolic acid induced apoptotic processes in the endometrial cancer SNG-II cell line through mechanisms involving mitochondrial pathways and Bcl-2 family proteins.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed1999

Chitin synthase II inhibitory activity of ursolic acid, isolated from Crataegus pinnatifida.

Two triterpenoid compounds, ursolic acid and uvaol, were isolated from Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge leaves. Ursolic acid inhibits chitin synthase II from S. cerevisiae with an IC50 value of 0.84 microgram/ml and the inhibition appears to be selective for chitin synthase II, whereas uvaol has no inhibitory activity up to 280 micrograms/ml. Oleanolic acid, alpha-hederin hydrate, and betulic acid inhibited the chitin synthase II activity under the same conditions with an IC50 of 5.6, 64.3, and 98.7 micrograms/ml, respectively.

Chitin Synthase↗

PubMed2003

Ursolic acid inhibits nuclear factor-kappaB activation induced by carcinogenic agents through suppression of IkappaBalpha kinase and p65 phosphorylation: correlation with down-regulation of cyclooxygenase 2, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and cyclin D1.

The process of tumorigenesis requires cellular transformation, hyperproliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Several genes that mediate these processes are regulated by the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). The latter is activated by various carcinogens, inflammatory agents, and tumor promoters. Thus, agents that can suppress NF-kappaB activation have the potential to suppress carcinogenesis. Ursolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene acid, has been shown to suppress the expression of several genes associated with tumorigenesis, but whether ursolic acid mediates its effects through suppression of NF-kappaB is not understood. In the study described in the present report, we found that ursolic acid suppressed NF-kappaB activation induced by various carcinogens including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), phorbol ester, okadaic acid, H(2)O(2), and cigarette smoke. These effects were not cell type specific. Ursolic acid inhibited DNA binding of NF-kappaB consisting of p50 and p65. Ursolic acid inhibited IkappaBalpha degradation, IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, IkappaBalpha kinase activation, p65 phosphorylation, p65 nuclear translocation, and NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression. Ursolic acid also inhibited NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression activated by TNF receptor, TNF receptor-associated death domain, TNF receptor-associated factor, NF-kappaB-inducing kinase, IkappaBalpha kinase, and p65. The inhibition of NF-kappaB activation correlated with suppression of NF-kappaB-dependent cyclin D1, cyclooxygenase 2, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression. Thus, overall, our results indicate that ursolic acid inhibits IkappaBalpha kinase and p65 phosphorylation, leading to the suppression of NF-kappaB activation induced by various carcinogens. These actions of ursolic acid may mediate its antitumorigenic and chemosensitizing effects.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

PubMed2005

LC-MS determination and pharmacokinetic studies of ursolic acid in rat plasma after administration of the traditional chinese medicinal preparation Lu-Ying extract.

Sambucus chinensis L. is a native perennial herb distributed throughout China. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this herb is known as Lu-Ying. Ursolic acid is the major effective constituent of Lu-Ying. A rapid, sensitive, and accurate liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for the determination of ursolic acid in rat plasma was developed and validated. Plasma samples taken from rats that had received Lu-Ying extract orally were acidified with acetic acid and then extracted with a mixture of hexane-dichloromethane-2-propanol (20:10:1, v/v/v). Separation of ursolic acid was accomplished on a C(18) column interfaced with a single quadrupole mass spectrometer. The mobile phase consisting of methanol and water (95:5, v/v) was delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization was operated in negative-ion mode. Using selected ion-monitoring mode, the deprotonated molecules [M-H](-) at m/z 455 and 469 were used to quantify ursolic acid and glycyrrhetic acid (internal standard), respectively. The assay was shown to be linear over the range of 10-1000 ng/ml (r> or =0.9960) with a lower limit of quantification of 10 ng/ml. The method was shown to be reproducible and reliable with intraday precision below 7.8%, interday precision below 8.1%, accuracy within +/-4.3%, and mean extraction recovery excess of 83.6%, which were all calculated from the blank plasma sample spiked with ursolic acid at three concentrations of 20, 200, and 800 ng/ml. The LC-MS method has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of ursolic acid after oral administration of Lu-Ying ethanolic extract (at a dose containing 80.32 mg/kg ursolic acid) to rats. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were: t(1/2), 4.3 h; K(e), 0.16 1/h; t(max), 1.0 h; C(max), 294.8 ng/ml; AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-infinity), 1007.1 ng.h/ml and 1175.3 ng.h/ml, respectively.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1996

Inhibitory effect of ursolic acid on B16 proliferation through cell cycle arrest.

The effects of ursolic acid on the proliferation of B16, a mouse melanoma cell line, were studied. During investigations of the anti-proliferative effects of this triterpene, we observed that MTT colorimetric and colony forming assays show that ursolic acid is a potent inhibitor of B16 cell growth. Cell cycle analysis was performed by propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry technique. This triterpene exerts an early effect on cell cycle at G1, which explains its anti-proliferative activity. These results suggest that alterations in cell cycle phase redistribution of B16, by ursolic acid, may significantly influence the proliferation of B16, melanoma cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Ursolic acid induces apoptosis in colon cancer HT-29 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the antitumor effects of ursolic acid and mechanisms of its action. METHODS: The cells of human colorectal carcinoma cell line HT-29 were treated with ursolic acid at different concentration. The proliferation inhibition was examined by MTT assay. Morphological examination, TUNEL method and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of apoptosis related genes caspase-9 and bcl-2. The semi-quantification of protein expression was analyzed by pathological image-analysis. RESULTS: UA inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells moderately. Apoptosis of HT-29 cells was induced by ursolic acid treatment. The morphology of HT-29 showed changes such as nuclear chromatin condensation and fragmentation. Sub-G(1) peak was found by flow cytometry. The maximal apoptosis rate was 11.63%. The expression of caspase-9 gene was enhanced. The expression of bcl-2 gene was decreased. All these effects were in a dose-dependent and time-depend manner. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis in colon cancer HT-29 cells is one of the key mechanisms of ursolic acid action and its antitumor activity may be applicable for the treatment of cancers.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed1976

Antibiotic action of beta-ursolic acid.

The antimicrobial action of beta-ursolic acid (triterpenoid sapogenin from the ursan group) has been studied. At the concentration of 300 mug/ml, this substance inhibited growth of all strains of staphylococci investigated. MIC for Gram-positive bacteria ranged between 50 and 500 mug/ml, and 100 to 800 mug/ml for Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. Acquired resistance to beta-ursolic acid was transient.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quantification of eugenol, luteolin, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid in black (Krishna Tulasi) and green (Sri Tulasi) varieties of Ocimum sanctum Linn. using high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

Ocimum sanctum (family Lamiaceae) is a reputed drug of Ayurveda, commonly known as Tulasi. In the present work, we quantified 4 marker compounds, viz., eugenol, luteolin, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid, from the leaf of green and black varieties of O. sanctum using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) with densitometry. The methods were found to be precise, with relative standard deviation (RSD) values for intraday analyses in the range of 0.52 to 0.91%, 0.77 to 1.29%, 0.11 to 0.16%, and 0.34 to 0.42% and for interday analyses in the range of 0.73 to 0.96%, 1.02 to 2.08%, 0.11 to 0.12%, and 0.39 to 0.64% for different concentrations of eugenol, luteolin, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid, respectively. Instrumental RSD values were 0.24, 0.39, 0.21, and 0.18% for eugenol, luteolin, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid, respectively. Accuracy of the methods was checked by conducting a recovery study at 3 different levels for the 4 compounds, and the average recoveries were found to be 99.73, 99.3, 100.58, and 100.57%, respectively. Eugenol content ranged from 0.175 to 0.362% (w/w) and luteolin from 0.019 to 0.046% (w/w) in the samples analyzed. Green variety was found to contain higher amounts of ursolic acid [0.478 and 0.348% (w/w), from Sources 1 and 2, respectively] than the black variety [0.252 and 0.264% (w/w) from Sources 1 and 2, respectively]. Black variety had 0.174 and 0.218% (w/w) of oleanolic acid from Sources 1 and 2, respectively, while it was not detected in the green variety. Ursolic acid and oleanolic acid ran at the same Rf value and could not be resolved in several solvent systems tried. However, we observed that only ursolic acid gave yellow fluorescence under 366 nm ultraviolet light after derivatization with anisaldehyde-sulfuric acid reagent. The HPTLC-densitometry methods for the quantification of the 4 markers in O. sanctum leaf will have the applicability in quality control.

Calibration↗