Examination of the apoptotic effects of betulinic acid on renal cancer cell lines

Year 2020, , 113 - 118, 23.10.2020

Arzu Ergen E. Sinem Iplık Baris Ertugrul Merve Nur Atas Goksu Kasarcı Bedia Cakmakoglu

https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.815542

Cited By: 1

Abstract

Objective: Renal cancers are highly resistant to standard hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, and the survival rates
are extremely low. Betulinic acid is a pentasilic triterpenoid saponin of lupine type obtained from various natural plants, especially
from the shell of Betula plant. Betulinic acid was shown both in in vivo, and in vitro to have the ability to induce apoptotic pathways
causing no toxicity for normal cells, and also has immunomodulatory effects. The aim of the present project is to investigate the
anticancer effects of betulinic acid on CAKI-2 (ATCC® HTB-47™; clear cell renal carcinoma), ACHN (ATCC® CRL-1611™; renal cell
adenocarcinoma) and MRC-5 (ATCC® CCL-171™: normal lung fibroblast) cell lines.
Materials and Methods: The dose, and time-dependent cell viability was determined using the WST-1 test first in cell lines, and then
apoptotic activity was determined with Annexin-V, apoptosis related nucleosomal enrichment factor levels, and Caspase 3 / BCA
activity.
Results: Betulinic acid reduced the CAKI-2, and ACHN cell viability in dose, and time-dependent manner inducing the apoptotic
pathway.
Conclusion: Researchers in the present study concluded in accordance with the results of Annexin-V, apoptosis-associated
nucleosomal enrichment factor levels and Caspase 3 / BCA activity that betulinic acid triggered the apoptosis in both renal cancer
cell lines, especially by the Caspase 3 activity.

Keywords

Renal cancer, Betulinic acid, Apoptosis, ACHN, CAKI-2

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