Research On Molecular Mechanisms Of Cytostatic Compound BC-4 & Studies On Basic Biological Characteristics Of Melanoma Cells

The aim of the study was to investigate the antitumor and/or preventive effect of boswellic acid acetate (BC-4), an isomeric compound isolated from the resin of the plant Boswellia carterii Birdw. containing alpha- and beta-boswellic acid acetate in 1:1, MW 498.3. BC-4 was primarily found by its obvious differentiation effect on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. In order to explore the possibility of developing it into a plant-derived, low toxic and effective anticancer drug, the effect of BC-4 and its molecular mechanism on tumor cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and metastases were systematically studied.Growth Inhibition (Cytostasis) Effects of BC-4 on Tumor CellsThe MTT assay was used to study the growth inhibition activity of BC-4. BC-4 could inhibit the growth of tumor cells from different origins, such as KB human epithelial carcinoma, A2780 human ovary carcinoma, MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma, SHG-44 human glioma, HCT-8 human colon carcinoma, A549 human non-small cell lung cancer, etc. The IC50 was ranged between 5.73 μM and 16.44 μM.