The Apoptotic Effect Of D Rhamnose β-hederin, A Novel Oleanane-type Triterpenoid Saponin On Breast Cancer Cells

Objective:To investigate the apoptotic effect of D Rhamnose β-hederin (DRβ-H), a novel oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin on breast cancer cells and its underlying mechanisms.Materials and methods:Breast cancer cell lines were treated with DRβ-H at different concentrations. MTT and Colony Formation Assay were used to evaluate the biological activity of DRP-H. Apoptosis rate of breast cancer cells after treated with DRP-H were analyzed by AnnexinV/PI double staining of flow cytometry. Regulation of PI3K/AKT and ERK pathway as well as Bcl-2family proteins were detected by Western blotting.Results:DRβ-H showed strong inhibitory activity on the growth of various breast cancer cells and induced apoptosis in these cells. DRβ-H regulated the ratio of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2family proteins. Moreover, DRβ-H inhibited PI3K/AKT and activated ERK signaling pathway. PI3K inhibitor LY294002synergistically enhanced DRP-H-induced apoptosis whereas MEK1/2inhibitor U0126reduced the apoptosis rate.Conclusions:DRβ-H could inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells. DRβ-H might induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells by regulating PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathway as as well as Bcl-2family proteins. DRβ-H, a novel oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin might be a potential option for the drug development and treatment for breast cancer.