Neuroprotective Effects of Ethanol Extract of Polyscias fruticosa (EEPF) against Glutamate-Mediated Neuronal Toxicity in HT22 Cells.

In traditional herbal medicine, the Polyscias fruticosa has been frequently used for the treatment of ischemia and inflammation. Oxidative stress mediated by elevated glutamate levels cause neuronal cell death in ischemia and various neurodegenerative diseases. However, so far, the neuroprotective effects of this plant extract against glutamate-mediated cell death have not been investigated in cell models. The current study investigates the neuroprotective effects of ethanol extracts of Polyscias fruticosa (EEPF) and elucidates the underlying molecular mechanisms of EEPFs relevant to neuroprotection against glutamate-mediated cell death. The oxidative stress-mediated cell death was induced by 5 mM glutamate treatment in HT22 cells. The cell viability was measured by a tetrazolium-based EZ-Cytox reagent and Calcein-AM fluorescent dye. Intracellular Ca2+ and ROS levels were measured by fluorescent dyes, fluo-3 AM and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA), respectively. Protein expressions of p-AKT, BDNF, p-CREB, Bax, Bcl-2, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were determined by western blot analysis. The apoptotic cell death was measured by flow cytometry. The in vivo efficacy of EEPF was evaluated using the Mongolian gerbil mouse by surgery-induced brain ischemia. EEPF treatment showed a neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced cell death. The EEPF co-treatment reduced the intracellular Ca2+ and ROS and apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, it recovered the p-AKT, p-CREB, BDNF, and Bcl-2 levels decreased by glutamate. The EEPF co-treatment suppressed the activation of apoptotic Bax, the nuclear translocation of AIF, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins (ERK1/2, p38, JNK). Further, EEPF treatment significantly rescued the degenerative neurons in the ischemia-induced Mongolian gerbil in vivo model. EEPF exhibited neuroprotective properties that suppress glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity. The underlying mechanism of EEPF is increasing the level of p-AKT, p-CREB, BDNF, and Bcl-2 associated with cell survival. It has therapeutic potential for the treatment of glutamate-mediated neuropathology.

Configurational Assignment of a Flexible Benzo[g]isochromene Stereodiad from Rubia philippinensis and Inhibition of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Activity.

A new benzo[g]isochromene possessing a conformationally mobile moiety was identified from Rubia philippinensis. The 2D structure was established utilizing spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques with variable temperatures. The configurational investigation of the flexible moiety was investigated utilizing contemporary NMR-combined computational tools such as DP4, direct J-DP4, and DP4 Plus. The probabilities computed from DP4 Plus analysis, featuring inclusion of an additional geometry optimization process, demonstrated more conclusive probability scores among the analyses used. The configurational assignment was also supported by compositional and molecular orbital analyses. Compound 1 inhibited soluble epoxide hydrolase (IC50 = 0.6 ± 0.01 µM), an enzyme associated with cardiovascular disorders.

Rugonidines A-F, Diastereomeric 1,6-Dioxa-7,9-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-7-en-8-amines from the Leaves of Alchornea rugosa.

Rugonidines A-F (1-6), three pairs of novel configurationally semistable diastereomers featuring an unprecedented 1,6-dioxa-7,9-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-7-en-8-amine scaffold, were isolated from Alchornea rugosa based on MS/MS-based molecular networking analysis. Their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy in combination with quantum-chemical calculations. Compounds 1-3 showed a significant increase in glucose uptake level in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes using 2-deoxy-2-[(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino]-d-glucose (2-NBDG) as a fluorescent-tagged glucose probe.

NMR-Based Investigation of Hydrogen Bonding in a Dihydroanthracen-1(4 H)one from Rubia philippinensis and Its Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitory Potential.

Hydrogen bonding is a vital feature of a large ensemble of chemical structures. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) has been targeted for development of the treatment for inflammation-associated diseases. Compounds 1 and 2 were purified from Rubia philippinensis, and their structures were established via physical data analysis. Compound 1 possesses intramolecular hydrogen bonding, sufficiently robust to transfer heteronuclear magnetization via a nonbonded interaction. The bonding strength was assessed using the 1H NMR chemical shift temperature coefficients (-1.8 ppb/K), and the heteronuclear coupling constants were measured. The stereochemical details were investigated using interproton distance analysis and ECD. Purified compounds displayed moderate sEH-inhibitory activity.

Antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induction by trijuganone C isolated from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen).

In this study, we found that the hexane fraction of Danshen, the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Lamiaceae), exerted antiproliferative effects on human leukemia cells. Phytochemical investigation of the hexane fraction achieved the isolation of the tanshinone diterpenes: dihydrotanshinone I (1), trijuganone C (2), trijuganone B (3), cryptotanshinone (4), tanshinone IIA (5), and tanshinone I (6). Compound 2 showed significant antiproliferative activities against human leukemia cells HL-60, Jurkat, and U937. The antiproliferative activities of 2 against human cancer and normal cells indicated that 2 exhibited potent antiproliferative activities with IC50 values less than 10 µM against HL-60 and Jurkat cells as well as on the colon cancer cells DLD-1, COLO 205, and Caco-2. Compound 2 induced chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in HL-60 cells. Moreover, 2 activated Bid and Bax, leading to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and 2 induced the cytochrome c release from mitochondria into cytosol. In contrast, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were unaffected by 2. These results suggest that 2 exerts antiproliferative effects via apoptosis induction mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation. Compound 2 may serve as a candidate of potential chemotherapeutic agent for human leukemia.

Anti-Hyperuricemic, Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Siegesbeckia orientalis L. Resulting from the Fraction with High Phenolic Content.

BACKGROUND: The medicinal plant Siegesbeckia orientalis L. has been commonly used for the treatment of acute arthritis, rheumatism, and gout in Vietnam. However, pharmacological research of this plant associated with gout has not been reported. Anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated and observed for the crude ethanol extract (CEE) of S. orientalis. Retention of these biological properties was found in a n-butanol-soluble fraction (BuOH fr.) of the extract, and therefore further biological and chemical investigations were undertaken on the BuOH fr. to support the medical relevance of this plant. METHODS: The aerial part of S. orientalis was obtained in the mountainous region of Vietnam. The crude ethanol extract (CEE) and its BuOH fr. were prepared from the plant materials. Anti-hyperuricemic activities of the CEE and BuOH fr. were tested in vivo using the model oxonate-induced hyperuricemia rats through determination of serum uric acid levels and inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase (XO) in the rat liver. Anti-inflammatory activities of the BuOH fr. were also evaluated in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema and urate-induced synovitis in rats. Active components of the BuOH fr. were characterized by comparison of HPLC retention time (t R) and spectroscopic data (UV, 1H-NMR) with those of reference compounds. RESULTS: The CEE of S. orientalis displayed anti-hyperuricemic activity, and the BuOH fr. was found to be the most active portion of the extract. Further in vivo studies on this fraction showed 31.4% decrease of serum uric acid levels, 32.7% inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO), 30.4% reduction of paw edema volume, symptomatic relief in urate-induced synovitis and significant analgesic effect at the dose of 120 mg/kg, as compared to the corresponding values of the control groups. Chemical analysis of the BuOH fr. revealed high phenolic content, identified as caffeic acid analogues and flavonones. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory mechanism of S. orientalis is related to XO inhibitory effect of the phenolic components. Our findings support the use of this plant as the treatment of gout and other inflammatory diseases.

Pentacyclic Triterpenoids from Astilbe rivularis that Enhance Glucose Uptake via the Activation of Akt and Erk1/2 in C2C12 Myotubes.

Glucose uptake into insulin-sensitive tissues is important for the regulation of blood glucose. This study has investigated whether the pentacyclic triterpenoids substituted with a carboxylic acid at the C-27 position isolated from Astilbe rivularis can enhance glucose uptake and subsequently to also examine their underlying molecular mechanisms. The structure of the new pentacyclic triterpenoid 1 was assigned by spectroscopic data interpretation. To evaluate the activity of compounds 1 and 2, glucose uptake and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation were measured in C2C12 myotubes. The C-27-carboxylated triterpenoids 1 and 2 significantly increased basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation to plasma membrane. Both compounds stimulated the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), protein kinase B (Akt), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2). Pretreatment with the Akt inhibitor triciribine or the Erk1/2 inhibitor U0126 decreased the ability of both compounds to enhance basal- and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and stimulate GLUT4 translocation. These results indicate that compounds 1 and 2 activated both the IRS-1/Akt and Erk1/2 pathways and subsequently stimulated GLUT4 translocation, leading to enhanced glucose uptake. Thus, these observations suggest that C-27-carboxylated-pentacyclic triterpenoids may serve as scaffolds for development as agents for the management of blood glucose levels in disease states such as diabetes.

Anticancer activity of pristimerin in epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive SKBR3 human breast cancer cells.

Pristimerin is a naturally occurring triterpenoid that causes cytotoxicity in several cancer cell lines. However, the mechanism of action for the cytotoxic effect of pristimerin has not been unexplored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pristimerin on cytotoxicity using the epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive SKBR3 human breast cancer cell line. Pristimerin inhibited proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manners in cells. We found it to be effective for suppressing HER2 protein and mRNA expression. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression and FASN activity were downregulated by pristimerin. Adding of exogenous palmitate, the end product of de novo fatty acid synthesis, reduced the proliferation activity of pristimerin. The changes in HER2 and FASN expression induced by pristimerin altered the levels of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation (Erk1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)). Pristimerin lowered the levels of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its downstream targets such as phosphoprotein 70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and 4E binding protein1. Pristimerin inhibited migration and invasion of cells, and co-treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin additionally suppressed these activities. Pristimerin-induced apoptosis was evaluated using Western blotting for caspase-3, -8, -9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase expression and flow cytometric analysis for propidium iodide labeling. These results suggest that pristimerin is a novel HER2-downregulated compound that is able to decrease fatty acid synthase and modulate the Akt, MAPK, and mTOR signaling pathways to influence metastasis and apoptosis. Pristimerin may be further evaluated as a chemotherapeutic agent for HER2-positive breast cancers.

An ent-kaurane diterpenoid from Croton tonkinensis induces apoptosis by regulating AMP-activated protein kinase in SK-HEP1 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer with high mortality worldwide. Traditional chemotherapy for HCC is not widely accepted by clinical practitioners because of its toxic side effects. Thus, there is a need to identify chemotherapeutic drugs against HCC. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a biologic sensor for cellular energy status that acts a tumor suppressor and a potential cancer therapeutic target. The traditional Vietnamese medicinal plant Croton tonkinensis shows cytotoxicity in various cancer cells; however, its anticancer mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we determined whether the ent-kaurane diterpenoid ent-18-acetoxy-7ß-hydroxy kaur-15-oxo-16-ene (CrT1) isolated from this plant plays a role as a chemotherapeutic drug targeting AMPK. CrT1 blocked proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manners in human hepatocellular carcinoma SK-HEP1 cells. CrT1 induced sub-G(1) arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis. CrT1 activated caspase-3, -7, -8, -9, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and its effect was inhibited by z-VAD-fmk suppressing caspase-3 cleavage. CrT1 induced increases in p53 and Bax levels but decreased Bcl(2) levels. In addition, CrT1 resulted in increased translocation of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm. We showed that CrT1-activated AMPK activation was followed by modulating the mammalian target of rapamycin/p70S6K pathway and was inactivated by treating cells with compound C. Treatment with CrT1 and aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) synergistically activated AMPK. CrT1-induced AMPK activation regulated cell viability and apoptosis. These results suggest that CrT1 is a novel AMPK activator and that AMPK activation in SK-HEP1 cells is responsible for CrT1-induced anticancer activity including apoptosis.

Unique guanidine-conjugated catechins from the leaves of Alchornea rugosa and their autophagy modulating activity.

Natural guanidines, molecules that contain the guanidine moiety, are structurally unique and often exhibit potent biological activities. A phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Alchornea rugosa (Lour.) Müll.Arg. by MS/MS-based molecular networking revealed eight undescribed guanidine-flavanol conjugates named rugonines A-H. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were comprehensively elucidated by NMR spectroscopy, HRESIMS, and circular dichroism (CD) analysis. All isolated compounds were tested for autophagosome formation in HEK293 cells stably expressing GFP-LC3. The results revealed that compounds rugonines D-G showed potential autophagy inhibitory activity.

Panaxindole, a novel indole alkaloid N-glucoside from the leaves of Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. (Vietnamese ginseng).

Vietnamese ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha and Grushv., Araliaceae) is indigenous in the central highlands of Vietnam and the southernmost distribution in the Panax genus. Like other ginseng, Vietnamese ginseng is well known has been used as a tonic and for management of certain diseases in the traditional medicine. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that in respect to the long history in use and systematic studied on Korean ginseng (P. ginseng), American ginseng (P. quinquefolius), Japanese ginseng (P. japonicus), and Chinese ginseng (P. notoginseng), the up-to-date published database on Vietnamese ginseng is relatively much less extensive. In our ongoing research on the promising Vietnamese medicinal plants, the present phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Panax vietnamensis led to the isolation of three compounds (1-3), including a new indole alkaloid N-glycoside (1) and two known compounds. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive physiochemical and chemical methods, especially the interpretation of NMR and MS spectra. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined based on the comparison of its experimental and theoretical ECD spectra along with NMR calculation. Compound 1 is naturally isolated N-glycoside, which is rarely found in natural products. The isolated compounds showed weak or no inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE).

Symmetric dimers of ent-kaurane diterpenoids with cytotoxic activity from Croton tonkinensis.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women these days accounting for approximately 24% of all cancer. During our screening program searching for cytotoxic materials from natural products, two new symmetric dimers of ent-kaurane diterpenoid, crotonkinensins C (1) and D (2), with connectivity at C-17 were isolated from the leaves of the Vietnamese endemic medicinal plant Croton tonkinensis. Their structures were determined on the basis of physicochemical and spectroscopic data. Compound 2 showed a potent cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 (MCF-7/TAMR), adriamycin-resistant MCF-7 (MCF-7/ADR), and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines.

Xanthones from Polygala karensium inhibit neuraminidases from influenza A viruses.

The emergence of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic has the possibility to develop the occurrence of disaster- or drug-resistant viruses by additional reassortments in novel influenza A virus. In the course of an anti-influenza screening program for natural products, 10 xanthone derivatives (1-10) were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation from the EtOAc-soluble extract of Polygala karensium. Compounds 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 with a hydroxy group at C-1 showed strong inhibitory effects on neuraminidases from various influenza viral strains, H1N1, H9N2, novel H1N1 (WT), and oseltamivir-resistant novel H1N1 (H274Y) expressed in 293T cells. In addition, these compounds reduced the cytopathic effect of H1N1 swine influenza virus in MDCK cells. Our results suggest that xanthones from P. karensium may be useful in the prevention and treatment of disease by influenza viruses.

Anticancer properties of pomolic acid-induced AMP-activated protein kinase activation in MCF7 human breast cancer cells.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of cellular energy status found in all eukaryotes. Recent studies indicate that AMPK activation strongly suppresses cell proliferation in tumor cells, which requires high rates of protein synthesis and de novo fatty acid synthesis for their rapid growth. Pomolic acid (PA) has been previously described as being active in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated PA activated AMPK, and this activity was related to proliferation and apoptosis in MCF7 breast cancer cells. PA inhibited cell proliferation and induced sub-G(1) arrest, elevating the mRNA levels of the apoptotic genes p53 and p21. PA activated caspase-3, -9, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and this effect was inhibited by z-VAD-fmk. AMPK activation was increased by treating cells with PA, inactivated by treating cells with a compound C, and co-treatment consisting of PA and aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) synergistically activated AMPK. These anti-cancer potentials of PA were accompanied by effects on de novo fatty acid synthesis as shown by the decreased expression of fatty acid synthase, and decreased acetyl-CoA carboxylase activation and incorporation of [(3)H]acetyl-CoA into fatty acids. In addition, PA inhibited key enzymes involved in protein synthesis such as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1). These results suggest that PA exerts anti-cancer properties through the modulation of AMPK pathways and its value as an anti-cancer agent in breast cancer therapy.

A new triterpenoid from the stems of Kadsura coccinea with antiproliferative activity.

A series of schiartane C29 nortriterpenoids with 5/5/7/6/5 membered consecutive rings (1‒5) with an unique schinortriterpenoid skeleton including a new, kadcoccilactone V (1), together with four known ones (2‒5) and three known triterpenoids (6‒8) were identified from stems of Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A. C. Smith. The structures of 1 and known compounds were elucidated by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS data as well as comparing those data in the literature. All the isolated compounds were examined for cytotoxic effects against six human cancer cell lines [(HCT-15 (colon), NUGC-3 (stomach), NCI-H23 (lung), ACHN (renal), PC-3 (prostate), and MDA-MB-231 (breast)]. Among them, compound 6 showed potent cytotoxicity against NCI-H23 (GI50 1.28 µM) and NUGC-3 (GI50 1.28 µM), and significantly inhibited on PC-3, MDA-MB-231, ACHN, HCT-15 with GI50 values around 2.33 to 2.67 µM.

ent-Kaurane diterpenoids from Croton tonkinensis stimulate osteoblast differentiation.

Four new ent-kaurane diterpenoids (1-4) were isolated from the leaves of Croton tonkinensis by bioactivity-guided fractionation using an in vitro osteoblast differentiation assay. Their structures were identified as ent-11ß-acetoxykaur-16-en-18-ol (1), ent-11α-hydroxy-18-acetoxykaur-16-ene (2), ent-14ß-hydroxy-18-acetoxykaur-16-ene (3), and ent-7α-hydroxy-18-acetoxykaur-16-ene (4). Compounds 1-4 significantly increased alkaline phosphatase activity and osteoblastic gene promoter activity. Compounds 1-3 also increased the levels of ALP and collagen type I alpha mRNA in C2C12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that ent-kaurane diterpenoids from C. tonkinensis have a direct stimulatory effect on osteoblast differentiation and may be potential therapeutic molecules against bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Antidiabetic Activity of Gomphogyne bonii Gagnep. Extract against High-Fat Diet and Alloxan-Induced Type 2 Diabetes in Mice.

So far, diabetes mellitus has become a health threat to society all over the world. Especially, people with diabetes have always coped with complications related to this disease and unexpected side effects of synthetic drugs. Thus, there has been a current trend for researchers to find out new natural ingredients which were safer and still effective in the treatment of diabetes. Gomphogyne bonii Gagnep. extract (G. bonii extract) was an herbal-derived product of the Pharmacy Department, Vietnam University of Traditional Medicine. This study was designed to assess the antidiabetic effect of G. bonii extract on a high-fat diet (HFD) and alloxan-induced diabetes in mice. Mice were first fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks and then given an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (ALX) at the dose of 180 mg/kg b.w. After the diabetic mice model was successfully established, mice were administered orally with G. bonii extract at two doses of 4 mL/kg b.w/day and 12 mL/kg b.w/day for 2 weeks. The results revealed that G. bonii extract at both doses ameliorated the effects of ALX on the concentration of glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and microhistological images of livers. Besides, the antidiabetic effect of G. bonii extract at the dose of 12 mL/kg b.w/day was better than that at the dose of 4 mL/kg b.w/day. This suggested that G. bonii extract could be a potential agent for treating diabetes mellitus in clinical practice.

C-Methylated Flavonoids from Cleistocalyx operculatus and Their Inhibitory Effects on Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Neuraminidase.

As part of an ongoing study focused on the discovery of anti-influenza agents from plants, four new (1-4) and 10 known (5-14) C-methylated flavonoids were isolated from a methanol extract of Cleistocalyx operculatus buds using an influenza H1N1 neuraminidase inhibition assay. Compounds 4, 7, 8, and 14, with a chalcone skeleton, showed significant inhibitory effects on the viral neuraminidases from two influenza viral strains, H1N1 and H9N2. Compound 4 showed the strongest inhibitory activity against the neuraminidases from novel influenza H1N1 (WT) and oseltamivir-resistant novel H1N1 (H274Y mutant) expressed in 293T cells with IC50 values of 8.15 ± 1.05 and 3.31 ± 1.34 µM, respectively. Compounds 4, 7, 8, and 14 behaved as noncompetitive inhibitors in the kinetic studies. These results indicate that C-methylated flavonoids from C. operculatus have the potential to be developed as neuraminidase inhibitors for novel influenza H1N1.

Down-regulation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu oncogene by corosolic acid induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in NCI-N87 human gastric cancer cells.

Overexpression/amplification of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2/neu (erbB-2) oncogene plays a causal role in carcinogenesis and correlates with a poor clinical prognosis. However, little is known about HER2 in gastric cancer. In this study, we explored the pharmacological activities of natural triterpenoid corosolic acid (CRA) in HER2 signaling and its role in gastric cancer development and progression. In this study, CRA dramatically inhibited HER2 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner, effectively inhibited cell proliferation, and induced G(0)/G(1) arrest through the induction of p27(kip1) and cyclin D(1) down-regulation. CRA exposure enhanced apoptotic cell death, as confirmed by caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage activities. CRA inhibited signaling pathways downstream of HER2, including phospho-proteins such as Akt and Erk. In addition, CRA combined with adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil enhanced this growth inhibition, but not with docetaxel and paclitaxel. These findings demonstrate that CRA suppresses HER2 expression, which in turn promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death of gastric cancer cells, providing a rationale for future clinical trials of CRA in the treatment of HER2-positive gastric cancers.

24-hydroxyursolic acid from the leaves of the Diospyros kaki (Persimmon) induces apoptosis by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase.

There are multiple lines of evidence that persimmon extract and its constituents have potent antitumor activity against human cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of 24-hydroxyursolic acid, a triterpenoid found in persimmon, on antitumor activities are not yet understood. Here, we demonstrate that 24-hydroxyursolic acid inhibited cell proliferation, strongly activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mediated critical anticancer effects by inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) expression in HT-29 cells. In addition, 24-hydroxyursolic acid induced cellular apoptosis by activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-3, and phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15. It also strongly induced DNA fragmentation in HT-29 cells and thereby significantly inhibited colony formation of HT-29 cells in soft agar. In addition, 24-hydroxyursolic acid blocked the EGF-induced ERKs phosphorylation and led to the inhibition of AP-1 activity and cell transformation in JB6 CL41 cells. Collectively, these findings are the first to reveal a molecular basis for the anticarcinogenic action of 24-hydroxyursolic acid and might account for the reported chemopreventive and chemotherapic effects of persimmon extracts.