Jolkinolide B induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Yu Lin
    • Hongxia Cui
    • Huiyu Xu
    • Liling Yue
    • Hao Xu
    • Liyan Jiang
    • Jicheng Liu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 12, 2012     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2012.1717
  • Pages: 1976-1980
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signal transduction pathway is critically important for tumor cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis. Apoptosis activation has been reported to be a good target in cancer therapies. In this study, we have found that jolkinolide B (JB), a diterpenoid from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Euphorbia fischeriana Steud, strongly inhibited the expression of the PI3K p85 subunit and the phosphorylation of Akt. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of JB on the proliferation and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Our results show significant induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells incubated with JB. This effect was enhanced by combination with LY294002. In addition, treatment with JB could induce downregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and subsequent promotion of mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3. Taken together, JB-induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells occurs through the mitochondrial pathway. Further, the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade plays a role in the induction of apoptosis in JB-treated cells. These observations suggest that JB may have therapeutic applications in the treatment of cancer.

Related Articles

Journal Cover

June 2012
Volume 27 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Lin Y, Cui H, Xu H, Yue L, Xu H, Jiang L and Liu J: Jolkinolide B induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Oncol Rep 27: 1976-1980, 2012.
APA
Lin, Y., Cui, H., Xu, H., Yue, L., Xu, H., Jiang, L., & Liu, J. (2012). Jolkinolide B induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Oncology Reports, 27, 1976-1980. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2012.1717
MLA
Lin, Y., Cui, H., Xu, H., Yue, L., Xu, H., Jiang, L., Liu, J."Jolkinolide B induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway". Oncology Reports 27.6 (2012): 1976-1980.
Chicago
Lin, Y., Cui, H., Xu, H., Yue, L., Xu, H., Jiang, L., Liu, J."Jolkinolide B induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway". Oncology Reports 27, no. 6 (2012): 1976-1980. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2012.1717