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Geraniol and lupeol inhibit growth and promote apoptosis in human hepatocarcinoma cells through the MAPK signaling pathway
Author(s) -
Shen Xionghu,
Cui Xian,
Cui Hai,
Jin Yongmin,
Jin Wenbiao,
Sun Honghua
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of cellular biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 165
eISSN - 1097-4644
pISSN - 0730-2312
DOI - 10.1002/jcb.27779
Subject(s) - lupeol , geraniol , kinase , apoptosis , mapk/erk pathway , cancer research , p38 mitogen activated protein kinases , protein kinase a , signal transduction , downregulation and upregulation , biology , chemistry , pharmacology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , botany , gene , essential oil
Objectives Hepatocarcinoma is one of the most lethal cancers, leading to a 5‐year survival rate as low as 30% due to recurrence and metastasis. The treatment of liver cancer includes surgery and medication, of which, the former is more effective. However, surgical resection is applicable in less than 40% of patients. Therefore, it is imperative to find effective medication options for liver cancer therapy. Methods In this study, we found that two natural products, geraniol and lupeol, had antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on the hepatocarcinoma cell lines SMMC7721 and HepG2. We also detected a lower expression level of Bcl‐2 and upregulation of BAX and caspase in the presence of geraniol and lupeol. Results Furthermore, geraniol or lupeol also altered the phosphorylation level of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase, P38, and c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinases, suggesting involvement in mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling. Conclusions This study provided direct evidence to support the effect of geraniol and lupeol in hepatocarcinoma cell growth and apoptosis, which indicated the potential application of these two natural products in anti–liver cancer therapy.