Mechanisms of Apoptosis Induced by Ursolic Acid in Human Adenocarcinoma of Lung SPC-A-1 Cells

Objective To study the apoptosis effects of ursolic acid(UA) on human adenocarcinoma of lung SPC-A-1 cells and the involed mechanisms. Methods Cell proliferation of UA on SPC-A-1 cell was evaluated by MTT assay. The morphological changes were observed by electron microscope. Cell cycle and apoptosis rate were analysed by flow cytometry(FCM). The gene expression of GDF15, p21 involved in the effects of UA on SPC-A-1 cells was studied by RT-PCR. Results MTT assay showed that UA had a anti-proliferation effect on SPC-A-1 cells in a time-dependant and dose-dependant manner. Morphological changes of apoptosis about cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration and nuclear condensation were observed by electron microscope in UA-treated cells. The results of FCM represented the presence of apoptotic peak.30,40,50 μmol/L UA treated on SPC-A-1 cells for 48 h,the apoptosis rate were 1.83%,18.6%,22.6% respectively,and the cell cycle was arrested at S phase in a dose-dependant manner. The expression of p21, GDF15 genes was up-regulated in UA treated SPC-A-1 cells detected by RT-PCR. Conclusion UA shows inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in SPC-A-1 cells. The mechanism may be related to up-regulate GDF15 and p21 genes expression.