The Inhibitory Effect Of Ursolic Acid On Human Lung Adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 Cells And Its Mechanisms

Objective: To study the inhitory effects and its mechanisms of ursolic acid (UA) on human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cellsMethods: Cell proliferation of UA on SPC-A-1 cell was determined by MTT assay. The morphological changes were observed by Wright-Giemasa, Hoechst33258 fluorochrome staining and electron microscope; Cell cycle and apoptosis rate were analysed by flow cytometry. The molecular mechanisms involved in the effects of UA on SPC-A-1 cells were studied by RT-PCR and western blot.Results: MTT assay showed that UA had a moderate anti-proliferation effect on SPC-A-1 cells in a time-dependant and dose-dependant manner. Apoptosis morphological changes about chromatic agglutination and nuclear condensation were detected by Wright-Giemasa, Hoechst 33258 fluorochrome staining and electron microscope in UA treated SPC-A-1 cells.The results of Flow Cytometry (FCM) represented the presence of apoptotic peak. Apoptosis rate of SPC-A-1 cells treated with 30,40,50μmo/L UA for 48 hours were 1.8%,18.2%,22.6%(P<0.01), respectively, and revealed that the cell cycle were arrested in S phase. The upregulating expression of GDF15, p21, Caspase-3, and the downregulating expression of PCNA were detected by RT-PCR. p53, p21, Bax proteins were upregulated and Bcl-2 was downregulated by western blot.Conclusion: UA shows obvious inhibitory effects on SPC-A-1 cells. The effects may be related to induce apoptosis and arrest cell cycle.the molecule machines may be associated with uprugulate GDF15, p21, p53, Bax, and downregulate PCNA,Bcl-2.