Alisol B acetate, a triterpene from Alismatis rhizoma, induces Bax nuclear translocation and apoptosis in human hormone-resistant prostate cancer PC-3 cells

Cancer Lett. 2006 Jan 18;231(2):270-8. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2005.02.011.

Abstract

The anti-tumor potential of components from Chinese herbal medicines has been greatly concerned. Alisol B acetate, a triterpene from Alismatis rhizoma, induced apoptotic cell death in human hormone-resistant prostate cancer PC-3 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. A good correlation between loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptotic cell death was apparent indicating the participation of mitochondria-related mechanism. Alisol B acetate induced Bax up-regulation and nuclear translocation; it also induced the activation of initiator caspase-8 and caspase-9, and executor caspase-3, suggesting the involvement of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways. Taken together, it is suggested that alisol B acetate induces apoptosis in PC-3 cells via a mitochondria-mediated mechanism with activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3. Furthermore, the Bax activation and translocation from the cytosol to nucleus might be a crucial response to the apoptotic effect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alismataceae / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cholestenones / pharmacology*
  • Curcumin / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / pathology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Cholestenones
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Triterpenes
  • alisol B monoacetate
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Caspases
  • Curcumin
  • Paclitaxel