Open AccessUrsolic acid enhances the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer by inhibition of drug resistance
Author(s) -
Zhang Ye,
Huang Longchang,
Shi Haoze,
Chen Hang,
Tao Jianxin,
Shen Renhui,
Wang Tong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.13425
Subject(s) - ursolic acid , oxaliplatin , colorectal cancer , apoptosis , pharmacology , drug , reactive oxygen species , cell growth , cancer , drug resistance , cancer research , chemistry , medicine , biology , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , chromatography
It has been reported that ursolic acid has anti‐tumor activity and it enhances the therapeutic effect of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer ( CRC ). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, the mechanisms of the enhancement of therapeutic effects through use of ursolic acid were investigated. We treated CRC cell lines HCT 8 and SW 480 with ursolic acid and oxaliplatin and monitored the effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) production and drug resistance gene production. We discovered that treatment with a combination of ursolic acid and oxaliplatin resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation, significantly increased apoptosis and ROS production, and significant inhibition of drug resistance gene expression. Our study provided evidence that ursolic acid enhances the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer by ROS ‐mediated inhibition of drug resistance.