The effect of maslinic acid on apoptotic genes in u266 multiple myeloma cell line

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma is a clonal plasma cell malignancy which is characterized by renal failure, bone lesions, hypercalcemia and anemia. It has very poor prognosis and no effective drug has been discovered yet. Multiple myeloma patients eventually end up relapse at some point of their lifetime. Maslinic acid (MA) is a pentacyclic triterpene, found in the skin of some plants. The aim of current study was to investigate the apoptotic effects of Maslinic acid on U266 multiple myeloma cell line. Methods Viability and metabolic activity of U266 cells were examined following treatment with MA. The cell apoptosis was determined by flowcytometry analysis using Annexin V/7AAD apoptosis detection kit. The expression of hTERT, c-MYC, BCL-XL and genes were studied using Real-Time PCR. Results The viability of U266 cells significantly decreased following treatment with MA in a dose-dependent manner. Metabolic activity of the cells also decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Further investigation showed that Maslinic acid led to the apoptosis of U266 cells. Additionally, the expression of hTERT, BCL-XL was decreased and the expression of BAX was increased in comparison with the control group. Moreover, the expression of c-MYC did not show meaningful change. Conclusion The results demonstrated that MA induces apoptosis in U266 multiple myeloma cell line. Treatment with MA led to down-regulation of hTERT, BCL-XL and upregulation of BAX in U266 cells. Furthermore, the expression of C-MYC did not change compared with the control group. Further studies may propose this herbal agent as a treatment for multiple myeloma.