Oleanolic acid isolated from Oldenlandia diffusa exhibits a unique growth inhibitory effect against ras-transformed fibroblasts

Pui Kei Wu, William C S TAI, Zhitao LIANG, Zhongzhen ZHAO, Wendy W L HSIAO*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims: Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb. (O. diffusa) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for treating cancer. Its pharmacological activities and anti-cancer effects have been the focus of intense research in recent years. In the present study, we aim to investigate whether the five major compounds from O. diffusa possess a unique inhibitory activity against ras-transformed cells in a well-established cell model. Main methods: The anti-cancer effects of O. diffusa were assessed in a co-culture system containing normal and transformed Rat 6 (R6) fibroblasts. In addition, a transwell assay was used to examine the interaction between the drugs and the co-cultivated cells. Key findings: Our data showed that among the samples tested, oleanolic acid (OA), but not the structural isomer ursolic acid (UA), inhibits the growth of ras oncogene-transformed R6 cells at a dosage that is not toxic to the co-cultivated normal fibroblasts. A significant inhibitory effect was also observed in the transwell experiments, indicating that the mode of action for OA-mediated growth inhibition of transformed cells does not require direct cell-to-cell contact between normal and ras-transformed cells. Data obtained from experiments conducted with the conditioned medium that was collected from normal R6 cells treated with OA also suggest that OA might cause normal cells to secrete inhibitory factor(s) against the transformed cells. The enhanced ability of OA to cause cytotoxicity in transformed cells in the presence of normal fibroblasts is also observed with the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, SMMC-7721. Significance: The present study demonstrates that OA may possess both cancer chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive activities. Thus, it may have great potential for clinical application as a novel anti-cancer drug.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)113-121
Number of pages9
JournalLife Sciences
Volume85
Issue number3-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jul 2009

Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)

User-Defined Keywords

  • Anti-cancer effect
  • Co-culture
  • Oleanolic acid
  • ras-transformed cells
  • Ursolic acid

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Oleanolic acid isolated from Oldenlandia diffusa exhibits a unique growth inhibitory effect against ras-transformed fibroblasts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this