Suppression of STAT3 and HIF-1 Alpha Mediates Anti-Angiogenic Activity of Betulinic Acid in Hypoxic PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells
2011

Betulinic Acid's Effects on Prostate Cancer Cells

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Shin Jimin, Lee Hyo-Jeong, Jung Deok-Beom, Lee Ji Hoon, Lee Hyo-Jung, Lee Eun-Ok, Shim Seok Geun, Choi Beom Sang, Ko Seung Hoon, Ahn Seong Gyu, Jeong Kwang Seok, Kim Soo-Jin, Kim Sung-Hoon

Primary Institution: College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea

Hypothesis

Betulinic acid inhibits hypoxia-mediated activation of STAT3 in prostate cancer cells.

Conclusion

Betulinic acid has anti-angiogenic activity by disrupting the binding of HIF-1α and STAT3 to the VEGF promoter in hypoxic prostate cancer cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • Betulinic acid inhibited the expression and activity of HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions.
  • It blocked the phosphorylation and nuclear accumulation of STAT3.
  • Betulinic acid reduced VEGF levels in hypoxic prostate cancer cells.
  • It prevented capillary tube formation in endothelial cells exposed to conditioned medium from hypoxic cancer cells.

Takeaway

Betulinic acid can help stop cancer cells from growing by blocking signals that help them survive and grow in low-oxygen conditions.

Methodology

The study used various assays including MTT, Western blotting, ELISA, and ChiP to evaluate the effects of betulinic acid on prostate cancer cells.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021492

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