Ursolic acid disturbs ROS homeostasis and regulates survival-associated gene expression to induce apoptosis in intestinal cancer cells

Ursolic acid is a natural compound possessing several therapeutic properties including anticancer potential. In present study, cytotoxic and antimetastatic properties of ursolic acid were investigated in intestinal cancer cell lines INT-407 and HCT-116. The cells growth and number were decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner in both the cell lines. It also increases reactive oxygen species levels in the cells in order to induce apoptosis. Ursolic acid was found to be a significant inhibitor of cancer cells migration and gene expression of migration markers FN1, CDH2, CTNNB1 and TWIST was also downregulated. Ursolic acid treatment downregulated the gene expression of survival factors BCL-2, SURVIVIN, NFKB and SP1, while upregulated the growth-restricting genes BAX, P21 and P53. These results indicate that ursolic acid has anticancer and antimetastatic properties against intestinal cancer. These properties could be beneficial in cancer treatment and could be used as complementary medicine.