Open Access

Exploration of anti‑osteosarcoma activity of asiatic acid based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments

  • Authors:
    • He Pang
    • Hang Wu
    • Zeyu Zhan
    • Tingrui Wu
    • Min Xiang
    • Zhiyan Wang
    • Lijun Song
    • Bo Wei
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 28, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2023.8692
  • Article Number: 33
  • Copyright: © Pang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Osteosarcomas are malignant bone tumors that typically originate in the epiphyses of the long bones of the extremities in adolescents. Asiatic acid has been reported to possess anti‑inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antitumor and antimicrobial activities. The present study used a combination of network pharmacological prediction and in vitro experimental validation to explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of asiatic acid against osteosarcoma. A total of 78 potential asiatic acid targets in osteosarcoma were identified using databases. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis indicated that the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways are essential in the treatment of osteosarcoma with asiatic acid. Molecular docking revealed binding of asiatic acid to EGFR, Caspase‑3, ESR1, HSP90AA1, IL‑6 and SRC proteins. asiatic acid inhibited proliferation through G2/M cell cycle arrest in osteosarcoma cells. In addition, asiatic acid induced mitochondria‑dependent apoptosis as demonstrated by increases in Bax and VDAC1 expression, and a decrease in Bcl‑2 protein expression. The increased autophagosomes, increased LC3‑II/I ratios and decreased p62 expression in the treatment group indicated that asiatic acid triggered autophagy. In addition, asiatic acid decreased the levels of phosphorylated (p‑)PI3K/PI3K and p‑AKT/AKT, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulated the levels of p‑ERK1/2/ERK1/2, p‑p38/p38 and p‑JNK/JNK in osteosarcoma cells. These results demonstrated that asiatic acid inhibited osteosarcoma cells proliferation by inhibiting PI3K/AKT and activating ROS/MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting asiatic acid is a potential agent against osteosarcoma.
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February-2024
Volume 51 Issue 2

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

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Spandidos Publications style
Pang H, Wu H, Zhan Z, Wu T, Xiang M, Wang Z, Song L and Wei B: Exploration of anti‑osteosarcoma activity of asiatic acid based on network pharmacology and <em>in vitro</em> experiments. Oncol Rep 51: 33, 2024
APA
Pang, H., Wu, H., Zhan, Z., Wu, T., Xiang, M., Wang, Z. ... Wei, B. (2024). Exploration of anti‑osteosarcoma activity of asiatic acid based on network pharmacology and <em>in vitro</em> experiments. Oncology Reports, 51, 33. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2023.8692
MLA
Pang, H., Wu, H., Zhan, Z., Wu, T., Xiang, M., Wang, Z., Song, L., Wei, B."Exploration of anti‑osteosarcoma activity of asiatic acid based on network pharmacology and <em>in vitro</em> experiments". Oncology Reports 51.2 (2024): 33.
Chicago
Pang, H., Wu, H., Zhan, Z., Wu, T., Xiang, M., Wang, Z., Song, L., Wei, B."Exploration of anti‑osteosarcoma activity of asiatic acid based on network pharmacology and <em>in vitro</em> experiments". Oncology Reports 51, no. 2 (2024): 33. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2023.8692