ursane and lyoniside

Fractionation of an acetone extract of the aerial parts of Salvia urmiensis led to the isolation of a new (1) and a known (2) E-seco-ursane-type triterpenoid, together with four other known compounds. Their structures were established by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance as well as high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The effect of compounds 1 and 2 on cell viability of HeLa and HepG2 cells was investigated with the MTT assay. We also report the mechanism of action of compound 2 as a potential anticancer agent in HeLa cells. Bcl-2, Bax, and caspases signaling pathway expression in HeLa cells was analyzed. HeLa cells treated with compound 2 were assayed for the cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase and DNA fragmentation resulting in nuclear shrinkage. Taken together, these results suggest that treatment of HeLa cells with compound 2 can induce apoptosis by regulating Bcl-2 family members and by suppressing caspase cascade activation.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apigenin; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Caspases; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; HeLa Cells; Hep G2 Cells; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Structure; Oleanolic Acid; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Salvia; Sitosterols; Triterpenes