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Investigating the Multitarget Pharmacological Mechanism of Ursolic Acid Acting on Colon Cancer: A Network

Jun Zhao1, Ping Leng1, Wen Xu1

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : Ecam
|July 1, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ursolic acid exhibits antitumor effects against colon cancer by targeting multiple pathways, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, and promoting apoptosis. This natural compound offers a promising therapeutic strategy for colon cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology
  • Network Pharmacology

Background:

  • Colon cancer remains a significant global health challenge.
  • Ursolic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, has demonstrated potential anticancer properties.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of ursolic acid in colon cancer is crucial for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ursolic acid in treating colon cancer using network pharmacology.
  • To identify key molecular targets and signaling pathways affected by ursolic acid.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized databases (TCMSP, SYMMAP, Drug Bank, UNI-PROT, DISGENET) to predict and screen ursolic acid targets for colon cancer.
  • Constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using STRING and visualized with Cytoscape.
  • Performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses via DAVID.

Main Results:

  • Identified 113 potential targets for ursolic acid in colon cancer treatment.
  • Key targets include Interleukin-6 (IL-6), MAPK3, VEGFA, PTGS2, CASP3, MAPK8, TNF, CCND1, JUN, and STAT3.
  • Highlighted significant signaling pathways such as TNF and AGE-RAGE, implicating them in colon cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • Ursolic acid exerts a multitarget and multichannel antitumor effect.
  • Mechanisms involve inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and enhancement of antiangiogenesis.
  • Network pharmacology provides insights into the complex therapeutic role of ursolic acid in colon cancer.

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