Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural terpene compound exhibiting many pharmaceutical properties. In this review the current state of knowledge about the health-promoting properties of this widespread, biologically active compound, as well as information about its occurrence and biosynthesis are presented. Particular attention has been paid to the application of ursolic acid as an anti-cancer agent; it is worth noticing that clinical tests suggesting the possibility of practical use of UA have already been conducted. Amongst other pharmacological properties of UA one can mention protective effect on lungs, kidneys, liver and brain, anti-inflammatory properties, anabolic effects on skeletal muscles and the ability to suppress bone density loss leading to osteoporosis. Ursolic acid also exhibits anti-microbial features against numerous strains of bacteria, HIV and HCV viruses and Plasmodium protozoa causing malaria.

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Ursolic Acid—A Pentacyclic Triterpenoid with a Wide Spectrum of Pharmacological Activities

https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc284566/m2/1/high_res_d/1-s2.0-S0006295213001871-main.pdf

Ursolic acid in cancer prevention and treatment: Molecular targets, pharmacokinetics and clinical studies

Numerous natural products originated from Chinese herbal medicine exhibit anti-cancer activities, including anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic effects, as well as regulate autophagy, reverse multidrug resistance, balance immunity, and enhance chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. To provide new insights into the critical path ahead, we systemically reviewed the most recent advances (reported since 2011) on the key compounds with anti-cancer effects derived from Chinese herbal medicine (curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, berberine, artemisinin, ginsenoside Rg3, ursolic acid, silibinin, emodin, triptolide, cucurbitacin B, tanshinone I, oridonin, shikonin, gambogic acid, artesunate, wogonin, β-elemene, and cepharanthine) in scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, and Clinical Trials). With a broader perspective, we focused on their recently discovered and/or investigated pharmacological effects, novel mechanism of action, relevant clinical studies, and their innovative applications in combined therapy and immunomodulation. In addition, the present review has extended to describe other promising compounds including dihydroartemisinin, ginsenoside Rh2, compound K, cucurbitacins D, E, I, tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone in view of their potentials in cancer therapy. Up to now, the evidence about the immunomodulatory effects and clinical trials of natural anti-cancer compounds from Chinese herbal medicine is very limited, and further research is needed to monitor their immunoregulatory effects and explore their mechanisms of action as modulators of immune checkpoints.

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Naturally occurring anti-cancer compounds: shining from Chinese herbal medicine.

Triterpenes are compounds of natural origin, which have numerously biological activities: anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. These substances can be isolated from plants, animals or fungi. Nowadays, when neoplasms are main cause of death, triterpenes can become an alternative method for treating cancer because of their cytotoxic properties and chemopreventive activities.

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/20/1/1610/pdf

Triterpenes as Potentially Cytotoxic Compounds

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is a serine/threonine (S/T) protein kinase. Although GSK-3 originally was identified to have functions in regulation of glycogen synthase, it was subsequently determined to have roles in multiple normal biochemical processes as well as various disease conditions. GSK-3 is sometimes referred to as a moonlighting protein due to the multiple substrates and processes which it controls. Frequently, when GSK-3 phosphorylates proteins, they are targeted for degradation. GSK-3 is often considered a component of the PI3K/PTEN/AKT/GSK-3/mTORC1 pathway as GSK-3 is frequently phosphorylated by AKT which regulates its inactivation. AKT is often active in human cancer and hence, GSK-3 is often inactivated. Moreover, GSK-3 also interacts with WNT/β-catenin signaling and β-catenin and other proteins in this pathway are targets of GSK-3. GSK-3 can modify NF-κB activity which is often expressed at high levels in cancer cells. Multiple pharmaceutical companies developed small molecule inhibitors to suppress GSK-3 activity. In addition, various natural products will modify GSK-3 activity. This review will focus on the effects of small molecule inhibitors and natural products on GSK-3 activity and provide examples where these compounds were effective in suppressing cancer growth.

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/9/5/1110/pdf

Targeting GSK3 and Associated Signaling Pathways Involved in Cancer

Although ursolic acid isolated from Oldenlandia diffusa (Rubiaceae) was known to have anticancer activities in prostate, breast and liver cancers, the underlying mechanism of ursolic acid in ovarian cancer cells was not investigated so far. In the present study, the apoptotic mechanism of ursolic acid was elucidated in SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells by 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulphophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay, cell cycle analysis and Western blotting. Ursolic acid exerted cytotoxicity against SK-OV-3 and A2780 ovarian cancer cells with IC₅₀ of ca. 50 and 65 µM, respectively. Apoptotic bodies were observed in ursolic acid treated SK-OV-3 cells. Also, ursolic acid significantly increased ethidium homodimer stained cells and sub-G1 apoptotic portion in SK-OV-3 cells. Consistently, Western blotting revealed that ursolic acid effectively cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-9 and -3, suppressed the expression of survival genes such as c-Myc, Bcl-x(L) and astrocyte elevated gene (AEG)-1, and upregulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in SK-OV-3 cells. Interestingly, ursolic acid suppressed β-catenin degradation as well as enhanced phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK 3β). Furthermore, GSK 3β inhibitor SB216763 blocked the cleavages of caspase-3 and PARP induced by ursolic acid and proteosomal inhibitor MG132 disturbed down-regulation of β-catenin, activation of caspase-3 and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) induced by ursolic acid in SK-OV-3 cells. Overall, our findings suggest that ursolic acid induces apoptosis via activation of caspase and phosphorylation of GSK 3β in SK-OV-3 cancer cells as a potent anti-cancer agent for ovarian cancer therapy.

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/35/7/35_b110660/_pdf

Ursolic acid from Oldenlandia diffusa induces apoptosis via activation of caspases and phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta in SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells.

Anti-cancer Effects of Dendropanax Morbifera Extract in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Cells Kyu-Jung Im, Sae-Byul Jang, Dong-Youl Yoo Dept. of Oriental Gynecology, College of Oriental Medicine, Dae-Jeon University Objectives: Dendropanax morbifera is known as a tree that has been used in traditional medicine for various diseases. However, its biological activities in cancer have not yet been clearly elucidated. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of water extract of Dendropanax morbifera (DP) on 2 human breast cancer cell lines (estrogen dependent MCF-7 and estrogen independent MDA-MB-231). Methods: The MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation, along with cell cycle analysis. Nitric oxide production was detected by Griess assay. The expression of apoptosis related gene was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: Our data revealed that DP inhibits the cell growth in a dose dependent manner (0, 50, 100, 250, and 500 μg/ml) of both estrogen independent MDA-MB-231 and estrogen dependent MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Also, LPS induced nitric oxide production was significantly reduced by DP. Cell cycle analysis showed an increased G1 phase in the MCF-7 cell and G2/M phase in the MDA-MB-231 cell. DP decreased mRNA expression of apoptotic suppressor gene Bcl-xL, and increased mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes. DP increased mRNA expression of p21, and Rip1 in both cell. And DP decreased mRNA expression of survivin in the MCF-7 cell. Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicate that DP extract are source of anti-cancer potential and could be developed botanical drug.

Anti-cancer Effects of Dendropanax Morbifera Extract in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Cells

Effects of Kanghwalsokdan-tang Gamibang Water Extract on Osteoclast Differentiation and Osteoblast Proliferation Eun-Hye Jung, Dong-Youl Yoo Dept. of Oriental Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University Graduate School Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Kanghwalsokdantang Gamibang water extract (KSG) on osteoporosis. Methods: RANKL-stimulated RAW 264.7 was used to evaluate inhibitory effect of KSG osteoclast differentiation and gene expression. We counted TRAP (+) multinucleated cells and measured TRAP activity and mRNA expressions of osteoclastogenesis-related genes (NFATc1, MITF, JNK1, cathepsin K, MMP-9) to figure out the effect of KSG on osteoclast. Osteoblastogenesis was also determined in rat calvarial cell. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone matrix protein and collagen synthesis were measured by using murine calvarial cell. Results: KSG inhibited the differentiation of osteoclast precursor cell and expression of genes related osteoclastogenesis like NAFTc1, MITF, c-fos, JNK1, Cathepsin K, MMP-9 and TRAP. KSG increased cell division and function of osteoblast separated from the skull of a rat and ALP synthesis, biosynthesis of bone matrix protein and collagen. Conclusions: Reviewing these results, KSG has efficacy on osteoclast inhibition and osteoblast activation. After further study, KSG will be able to apply for osteoporosis treatment and prevention.

Effects of Kanghwalsokdan-tang Gamibang Water Extract on Osteoclast Differentiation and Osteoblast Proliferation

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The Effect of Guibi-tang Water Extract on Osteoclast Differentiation and Osteoblast Proliferation

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Clematidis Radix extract(CB) on osteoclast differentiation and gene expression. The osteocastogenesis and gene expression were determined in RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 cell. Methods: RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 cell with Clematidis Radix extract was stained by TRAP which is expressive marker of osteoclast. The gene expression of RANK, , IL-6, iNOS and Cathepsin, those are factors related to bone resorption, was estimated by using Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Clematidis Radix extract decreased the number of TRAP-positive multi nuclei cell, and decreased the gene expression of RANK, , IL-6, iNOS and Cathepsin K in RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 cell. Conclusion: It is concluded that Clematidis Radix extract might decrease the bone resorption resulted from decrease of osteoclast differentiation and it's related gene expression.

Dong-Youl Yoo

Papers

Ursolic acid from Oldenlandia diffusa induces apoptosis via activation of caspases and phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta in SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells.

Anti-cancer Effects of Dendropanax Morbifera Extract in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Cells

Effects of Kanghwalsokdan-tang Gamibang Water Extract on Osteoclast Differentiation and Osteoblast Proliferation

The Effect of Guibi-tang Water Extract on Osteoclast Differentiation and Osteoblast Proliferation

Effects of Clematidis Radix Extract on Osteoclastogenesis and Gene Expression in RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 Cell