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  • Inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation by ursolic acid and polysaccharides via the downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2.

Inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation by ursolic acid and polysaccharides via the downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2.

Molecular medicine reports (2014-03-19)
Ling Liu, Jingkai Zhang, Meiling Li, Xiaohong Zhang, Jinlu Zhang, Zhenjing Li, Likui Wang, Jihui Wu, Cheng Luo
ABSTRACT

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, a multi-functional molecule, is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinomas. In order to understand cell proliferation and its association with COX-2 in HepG2 cells in the presence of ursolic acid (UA), viili exopolysaccharides (VEPS) and Astragalus polysaccharides (APS), the cell proliferation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and metabolic malondialdehyde (MDA) of fatty acids, COX-2, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), as well as apoptotic morphology and rate were investigated. The results revealed that the activities of SOD, COX-2 and PGE2 were reduced, MDA was markedly decreased, apoptotic blebs were induced, and HepG2 cells were accumulated in the G1 and sub G1/apoptotic phases in test groups. The results indicated that UA, VEPS, APS and any combination of these possess anticancer properties, particularly by downregulating COX-2 expression, which may have increased internal oxidation and triggered apoptosis together with a change in internal antioxidant response elements, leading to a reduction in cell proliferation.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Supelco
Ursolic acid, analytical standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Ursolic acid, ≥90%
Ursolic acid, primary reference standard
Ursolic acid, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard