Examination of the apoptotic effects of betulinic acid on renal cancer cell lines

Abstract

Objective: Renal cancers are highly resistant to standard hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, and the survival ratesare extremely low. Betulinic acid is a pentasilic triterpenoid saponin of lupine type obtained from various natural plants, especiallyfrom the shell of Betula plant. Betulinic acid was shown both in in vivo, and in vitro to have the ability to induce apoptotic pathwayscausing no toxicity for normal cells, and also has immunomodulatory effects. The aim of the present project is to investigate theanticancer effects of betulinic acid on CAKI-2 (ATCC® HTB-47™; clear cell renal carcinoma), ACHN (ATCC® CRL-1611™; renal celladenocarcinoma) and MRC-5 (ATCC® CCL-171™: normal lung fibroblast) cell lines.Materials and Methods: The dose, and time-dependent cell viability was determined using the WST-1 test first in cell lines, and thenapoptotic activity was determined with Annexin-V, apoptosis related nucleosomal enrichment factor levels, and Caspase 3 / BCAactivity.Results: Betulinic acid reduced the CAKI-2, and ACHN cell viability in dose, and time-dependent manner inducing the apoptoticpathway.Conclusion: Researchers in the present study concluded in accordance with the results of Annexin-V, apoptosis-associatednucleosomal enrichment factor levels and Caspase 3 / BCA activity that betulinic acid triggered the apoptosis in both renal cancercell lines, especially by the Caspase 3 activity.