Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Establishment of Coloproctitis Cancer Model in Mice and Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect of Chinese Medicine
06:24

Establishment of Coloproctitis Cancer Model in Mice and Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect of Chinese Medicine

Published on: October 13, 2023

[Ursolic acid induces apoptosis in colon cancer HT-29 cells]

Jie Tan1, Zhi-xiang Shen, Wei Geng

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.

Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Oncology]
|June 6, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ursolic acid (UA) demonstrates antitumor effects by inducing apoptosis in human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells. This mechanism involves caspase-9 upregulation and bcl-2 downregulation, suggesting potential cancer treatment applications.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Context:

  • Colorectal cancer remains a significant global health challenge.
  • Identifying novel therapeutic agents with distinct mechanisms of action is crucial.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the antitumor effects of ursolic acid (UA) on human colorectal carcinoma HT-29 cells.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly apoptosis induction.

Summary:

  • Ursolic acid treatment inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
  • Apoptosis was confirmed through morphological changes, TUNEL assay, and flow cytometry, with a maximal rate of 11.63%.
  • UA modulated the expression of apoptosis-related genes, enhancing caspase-9 and decreasing bcl-2.

Impact:

  • This study highlights apoptosis as a key mechanism for ursolic acid's antitumor activity.
  • Findings suggest ursolic acid's potential as a therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

Evaluating Cell Death Using Cell-Free Supernatant of Probiotics in Three-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures of Colorectal Cancer Cells06:07

Evaluating Cell Death Using Cell-Free Supernatant of Probiotics in Three-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Published on: June 13, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation. 
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.