Keto- and acetyl-keto-boswellic acids inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in Hep G2 cells via a caspase-8 dependent pathway

  • Authors:
    • Jian-Jun Liu
    • Ake Nilsson
    • Stina Oredsson
    • Vladimir Badmaev
    • Rui-Dong Duan
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: October 1, 2002     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.10.4.501
  • Pages: 501-505
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Abstract

Boswellic acids are the compounds isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata and have been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases for many years in the countries of the east. Recently, a few studies showed that the acids may have anti-cancer effect on leukemia and brain tumours. We investigated the apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of two types of boswellic acids, keto-β-boswellic acid and acetyl-keto-β-boswellic acid, on liver cancer Hep G2 cells. After treating the cells with the boswellic acids, cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and apoptosis were analysed. The activities of caspase-3, -8 and -9 were assayed. To explore the apoptotic pathway, specific caspase inhibitors were employed. It was found that boswellic acids decreased cell viability and [3H]thymidine incorporation, checked the cells in the G1 phase, and increased percentage of sub-G1. Boswellic acids strongly induced apoptosis accompanied by activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9. The apoptosis was blocked completely by caspase-8 or caspase-3 inhibitor, but inhibited partly by caspase-9 inhibitor. However, these caspase inhibitors did not show any effect on the alternations of cell viability caused by boswellic acids. In conclusion, boswellic acids have anti-proliferation and anti-cancer effects on Hep G2 cells. The apoptotic effect is mediated by a pathway dependent on caspase-8 activation. The acids may be a promising drug for the chemoprevention of liver cancer.

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October 2002
Volume 10 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Liu J, Nilsson A, Oredsson S, Badmaev V and Duan R: Keto- and acetyl-keto-boswellic acids inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in Hep G2 cells via a caspase-8 dependent pathway. Int J Mol Med 10: 501-505, 2002.
APA
Liu, J., Nilsson, A., Oredsson, S., Badmaev, V., & Duan, R. (2002). Keto- and acetyl-keto-boswellic acids inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in Hep G2 cells via a caspase-8 dependent pathway. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 10, 501-505. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.10.4.501
MLA
Liu, J., Nilsson, A., Oredsson, S., Badmaev, V., Duan, R."Keto- and acetyl-keto-boswellic acids inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in Hep G2 cells via a caspase-8 dependent pathway". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 10.4 (2002): 501-505.
Chicago
Liu, J., Nilsson, A., Oredsson, S., Badmaev, V., Duan, R."Keto- and acetyl-keto-boswellic acids inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in Hep G2 cells via a caspase-8 dependent pathway". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 10, no. 4 (2002): 501-505. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.10.4.501