A new triterpenoid from Panax ginseng exhibits cytotoxicity through p53 and the caspase signaling pathway in the HepG2 cell line

Arch Pharm Res. 2008 Mar;31(3):323-9. doi: 10.1007/s12272-001-1159-8. Epub 2008 Apr 13.

Abstract

A new triterpenoid, 20(R),22(xi),24(S)-dammar-25(26)-ene-3beta,6 alpha,12 beta,20,22,24-hexanol (1), and three known triterpenoids, beta-D-glucopyranoside,(3beta,12 beta)-12,20-dihydroxydammar-24-en-3-yl,6-acetate (2), 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (3), and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rh2 (4), were isolated from the leaves of Panax ginseng. Their structures were determined by chemical analysis and spectral methods (IR, 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS). Compounds 1-4 were exhibited various degrees of cytotoxicity in the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. Compound 1 had the highest cytotoxic potency, with an IC50 value of 20.1 microM, by stimulating p53-mediated cell cycle arrest at the G1 to S phase transition, leading to apoptosis via activation of the caspase signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / enzymology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Caspases / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Structure
  • Panax* / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Triterpenes / chemistry
  • Triterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Triterpenes / therapeutic use
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Triterpenes
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Caspases