Effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid on inducing apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma BGC823 cells

Background and purpose:Ursolic acid is widely present in spica prunellae, hedyotis diffusa and other heat antidotes. The growth of a variety of tumor cells can be inhibited and induced apoptosis by ursolic acid. This study was aimed to investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of UA on inducing apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma BGC823 cells. Methods:The MTT assay was used to detect the antiproliferative effect of UA on BGC823 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis of BGC823 cells. The expression level of bcl-2 and bax gene was investigated by real time-polymerase chain reaction (real time-PCR). Results:UA inhibited the proliferation of BGC823 cells in a dose and time-dependent way. After treatment by UA for 24, 48 and 72 h, the IC50 of BGC823 was 36.88, 34.72, and 32.18 μmol/L, respectively. UA could significantly induce apoptosis of BGC823 cells and block cells at G2/M phase. UA could increase the expression of bax gene and decrease the expression of bcl-2 gene in a dose and time-dependent way. Conclusion:UA could induce apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of B?C823 cells in a dose and time-dependent way. It could arrest cell cycle of BGC823 cells at G2/M phase. Its mechanisms might be associated with the up-regulation of bax gene and down-regulation of bcl-2 gene.