Effect of ursolic add on the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Objective To investigate the effect of ursolic acid on proliferation,apoptosis,invasion of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and MCF-7 breast tumor growth in nude mice. Methods In the ursolic acid group, MCF-7 cells were treated with ursolic acid at concentrations of 1, 10,or 100 μmol/L for 12,24 and 48 h respectively. Cell viability of MCF-7 cells and growth inhibition rate were assayed by MTT methods. Cell cycle, apoptosis rate and cell invasiveness were assayed by flow cytometry and transwell chamber methods. Nude mice transplanted with MCF-7 cells were divided into saline control group,low-dose ursolic plantation in the nude mice were detected. Chnages in hver and renal function,and routine blood at 15th days were tested. Results With the increase of ursolic acid concentration and the prolongation of action time,MCF-7 cell growth and apoptosis were affected significantly. After MCF-7 cells were treated with 100 μmol/L ursolic acid for 48 h,the cell growth inhibition rate was 46.0%, the growth cycle was arrested in G0/G1 phase,the apoptosis rate was (16.48±2.46)%, and the cell invasiveness decreased significantly. Tumor size in the ursolic acid group was significantly smaller than in the control group. In the high-dose ursolic acid group at 15th day,the tumor size was (323.5±33.5) mm3,the rumor growth inhibit rate was 50.9%,and the liver and renal function,routine blood had no significant changes. Conclusion Ursolic acid can inhibit proliferation and invasiveness of MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and induce apoptosis rate in vitro. Ursolic acid can significantly inhibit the growth of breast cancer in nude mice. Key words: Breast carcinoma;  Ursolic acid;  Proliferation