β-Elemene, a novel plant-derived antineoplastic agent, increases cisplatin chemosensitivity of lung tumor cells by triggering apoptosis

  • Authors:
    • Qingdi Q. Li
    • Gangduo Wang
    • Manchao Zhang
    • Christopher F. Cuff
    • Lan Huang
    • Eddie Reed
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 1, 2009     https://doi.org/10.3892/or_00000420
  • Pages: 161-170
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Abstract

β-Elemene, a new plant-derived anticancer agent with low toxicity, has been reported to be effective in the treatment of leukemia and solid tumors. In the current study, we explored the therapeutic application of β-elemene in sensitizing lung cancer cells to cisplatin. β-Elemene considerably enhanced the inhibitory effect of cisplatin on cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner in the human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines H460 and A549. Furthermore, this effect of β-elemene on cisplatin activity occurred through the induction of apoptosis in NSCLC cells, as assessed by an ELISA-based assay, TUNEL assay and annexin V binding assay. Consistent with these results, the protein levels of Bax and phospho-Bcl-2 increased and those of Bcl-2 and XIAP decreased in cells treated with β-elemene in combination with cisplatin, compared with the levels in cells treated with either agent alone. Finally, β-elemene augmented the cisplatin-induced increases in caspase-3, -7, -9 and -10 activities and cleaved caspase-3, -9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase levels in NSCLC cells. These observations suggest that β-elemene sensitizes NSCLC cells to cisplatin via a mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis pathway involving Bcl-2 family proteins and IAPs (inhibitor of apoptosis proteins). Our data provide a rationale for developing a combination of β-elemene and cisplatin as a regimen for the treatment of lung carcinoma and other cisplatin-resistant tumors.

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July 2009
Volume 22 Issue 1

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

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Spandidos Publications style
Li QQ, Wang G, Zhang M, Cuff CF, Huang L and Reed E: β-Elemene, a novel plant-derived antineoplastic agent, increases cisplatin chemosensitivity of lung tumor cells by triggering apoptosis. Oncol Rep 22: 161-170, 2009
APA
Li, Q.Q., Wang, G., Zhang, M., Cuff, C.F., Huang, L., & Reed, E. (2009). β-Elemene, a novel plant-derived antineoplastic agent, increases cisplatin chemosensitivity of lung tumor cells by triggering apoptosis. Oncology Reports, 22, 161-170. https://doi.org/10.3892/or_00000420
MLA
Li, Q. Q., Wang, G., Zhang, M., Cuff, C. F., Huang, L., Reed, E."β-Elemene, a novel plant-derived antineoplastic agent, increases cisplatin chemosensitivity of lung tumor cells by triggering apoptosis". Oncology Reports 22.1 (2009): 161-170.
Chicago
Li, Q. Q., Wang, G., Zhang, M., Cuff, C. F., Huang, L., Reed, E."β-Elemene, a novel plant-derived antineoplastic agent, increases cisplatin chemosensitivity of lung tumor cells by triggering apoptosis". Oncology Reports 22, no. 1 (2009): 161-170. https://doi.org/10.3892/or_00000420