蛇葡萄素改变Bcl-2/Bax表达和激活caspase-3诱导人肝癌细胞Bel-7402凋亡

目的探讨蛇葡萄素在体外诱导人肝癌细胞株Bel-7402的凋亡作用及其可能机制。方法以不同浓度的蛇葡萄素作用于体外培养的人肝癌细胞株Bel-7402,应用MTT法检测培养24、48和72h的细胞生长情况;荧光染色观察细胞核的形态学改变;琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析细胞DNA变化;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率;Western blot检测细胞caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax的表达情况。结果蛇葡萄素对Bel-7402细胞的生长有明显的增殖抑制作用,呈浓度和时间依赖性。24、48、72h的IC50值分别是89.6±16.1、36.2±6.5和15.3±3.0mg·L-1。经荧光染色后可观察到典型的凋亡小体。细胞DNA电泳后呈现出凋亡细胞典型的DNAl adder。流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率呈时间和浓度依赖性。caspase-3和Bcl-2蛋白表达量逐渐降低,Bax蛋白表达量逐渐增加,呈明显的浓度依赖性。结论蛇葡萄素能诱导体外培养的人肝癌Bel-7402细胞凋亡,其作用具有时间和浓度依赖性。下调Bcl-2、上调Bax表达,活化caspase-3是蛇葡萄素诱导Bel-7402细胞凋亡的可能机制之一。     

Norcantharidin induces apoptosis in HeLa cells through caspase, MAPK, and mitochondrial pathways

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of norcantharidin (NCTD)-induced HeLa cell apoptosis. METHODS: HeLa cell growth inhibition was measured by MTT method. Apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and agarose gel electrophoresis. Caspase activities were assayed using caspase apoptosis detection kit. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the level of ICAD, ERK/p-ERK, JNK/p-JNK, and Bcl-XL/Bax expression. RESULTS: Norcantharidin inhibited HeLa cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. HeLa cells treated with norcantharidin showed typical characteristics of apoptosis including the morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. Caspase family inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk), caspase-8, -9 inhibitor (z-IETD-fmk, Ac-LEHD-CHO, respectively) and caspase-3 inhibitor (z-DEVD-fmk) partially prevent norcantharidin-induced apoptosis, but initiator caspase-1 inhibitor (Ac-YVAD-fmk) did not. The activities of caspase-3, -8, and -9 were up-regulated after norcantharidin treatment. Furthermore, NCTD-induced activat     

Silymarin augments human cervical cancer HeLa cell apoptosis via P38/JNK MAPK pathways in serum-free medium

Silymarin was proved to have a protective effect of UV-induced A375-S2 cell apoptosis in our previous research. In this study, its pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic activities on human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells in vitro were investigated. Silymarin induced HeLa cell death through both apoptotic and necrotic pathways. At low doses (below 80 μmol l^? 1), it induced cell apoptosis, but caused necrosis at high dose (160 μmol l^? 1). Silymarin induced typical chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation as a hallmark of apoptosis. In this case, mitochondrial Bcl-2 family, Bcl-2 and Bax, were not involved in apoptotic effects; however, silymarin-induced cell death was regulated by the activation of p38 and JNK MAPKs. We also found that pan-caspase inhibitor and caspase-3 inhibitor could not antagonise silymarin-induced apoptosis. Therefore, silymarin induced and augmented HeLa cell apoptosis through p38/JNK MAPKs in the serum-free medium.     

Geraniin induces apoptosis of human breast cancer cells MCF-7 via ROS-mediated stimulation of p38 MAPK

Geraniin, a typical ellagitannin isolated from Phyllanthus urinaria Linn, has been found to possess a range of bioactive properties. In the present study, we found that Geraniin showed potent anti-proliferative effects on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The IC₅₀ values were 9.94, 17.98 and 42.32?µM after 72-, 48- and 24-h treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, Geraniin could remarkably disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential and arrest S phase cell cycle. Western-blot analysis showed that Geraniin induced phosphorylation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, Geraniin treatment activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and the effect was blunted in MCF-7 cells with the treatment of a specific p38 inhibitor SB203580. Geraniin could generate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), activate p38 MAPK then induce the apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, such phenomena was abrogated by pretreatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine. In general, these results support the conclusion that Geraniin-induced apoptosis is mediated via ROS-mediated stimulation of p38 MAPK signaling.     

Bornyl caffeate induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells in vitro via the ROS- and JNK-mediated pathways

Aim： To investigate the effects of bornyl caffeate discovered in several species of plant on human breast cancer cells in vitro and the underlying mechanisms.
Methods： Human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and other tumor cell lines （T47D, HepG2, HeLa, and PC12） were tested. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay, and apoptosis was defined by monitoring the morphology of the nuclei and staining with Annexin V-FITC. Mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） was measured using JC-1 under fluorescence microscopy. Intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） were assessed by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-associated proteins was determined by Western blotting analysis.

Results： Bornyl caffeate （10, 25, and 50 μmol/L） suppressed the viability of MCF-7 cells in dose- and time-dependent manners, but neither caffeic acid nor borneol showed cytotoxicity at a concentration of 50 μmol/L. Bornyl caffeate also exerted cytotoxicity to HepG2, Hela, T47D, and PC12 cells. Bornyl caffeate dose-dependently induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells, increased the expression of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl-xl, resulting in the disruption of MMP and subsequent activation of caspase-3. Moreover, bornyl caffeate triggered the formation of ROS and activated p38 and c-Jun JNK. In MCF-7 cells, the cytotoxicity of bornyl caffeate was significantly attenuated by SB203580 （p38 inhibitor）, SP600125 （JNK inhibitor）, z-VAD （pan-caspase inhibitor） or the thiol antioxidant L-NAC.

Conclusion： Bornyl caffeate exerts non-selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells of different origin in vitro. The compound induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells via the ROS- and JNK-mediated pathways.     

Nanoparticle realgar powders induce apoptosis in u937 cells through caspase mapk and mitochondrial pathways

Nanoparticle realgar powders (NRP) inhibited U937 cell growth in a time and dose-dependent manner. U937 cells treated with NRP showed typical characteristics of apoptosis including the morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. Caspase family inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk), caspase-8, -9 inhibitor (z-IETD-fmk, Ac-LEHD-CHO, respectively) and caspase-3 inhibitor (z-DEVD-fmk) partially prevented NRP -induced apoptosis. Moreover, the classical substrates of caspase-3, poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) was degraded after U937 cells treatment with NRP. In addition, NRP increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression. Although p38 inhibitor (SB203580) and ERK inhibitor (PD98059) failed to block cell death, JNK inhibitor (SP600125) had marked inhibitory effects on NRP -induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of JNK was up-regulated, suggesting that JNK was responsible for NRP -induced apoptosis in U937 cells. These results suggested that the caspase, mitochondria and MAPK signal pathways were involved in NRP-induced U937 apoptosis.     

P53-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through a caspase-3- independent, but caspase-9-dependent pathway in oridonin-treated MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Aim： To study the caspase-3-independent mechanisms in oridonin-induced MCF-7 human breast cancer cell apoptosis in vitro. Methods： The viability of oridonin- treated MCF-7 cells was measured by MTT （thiazole blue） assay. Apoptotic cells with condensed nuclei were visualized by phase contrast microscopy. Nucleosomal DNA fragmentation was assayed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The apoptotic ratio was determined by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Cell cycle alternation and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by flow cytometric analysis. Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-9, heat shock protein （Hsp）90, p53, p-p53, p21, Poly （ADP-ribose） polymerase （PARP）, and the inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase （ICAD） protein expressions were detected by Western blot analysis. Results： Oridonin inhibited cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle was altered through the upregulation of p53 and p21 protein expressions. Pancaspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk and calpain inhibitor II both decreased cell death ratio. Nucleosomal DNA fragmentation and the downregulation of △ψmit were detected in oridonin-induced MCF-7 cell apoptosis, which was involved in a postmitochondrial caspase-9-dependent pathway. Decreased Bcl-2 and Hsp90 expression levels and increased Bax and p21 expression levels were positively correlated with elevated levels of phosphorylated p53 phosphorylation. Moreover, PARP was partially cleaved by calpain rather than by capase-3. Condusion： DNA damage provoked alternations in the mitochondrial and caspase-9 pathways as well as p53-mediated cell cycle arrest, but was not related to caspase-3 activity in oridonin-induced MCF-7 cells.     

Chimaphilin induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells through a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway

Chimaphilin, 2,7-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, is extracted from pyrola [Passiflora incarnata Fisch.]. In this study, the anticancer activity and underlying mechanisms of chimaphilin toward human breast cancer MCF-7 cells are firstly investigated. Chimaphilin could inhibit the viability of MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and the IC₅₀ value was 43.30 μM for 24 h. Chimaphilin markedly induced apoptosis through the investigation of characteristic apoptotic morphological changes, nuclear DNA fragmentation, annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) double staining. Flow cytometry assay revealed that chimaphilin triggered a significant generation of ROS and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, western blotting assay showed that chimaphilin suppressed Bcl-2 level and enhanced Bad level, then activated caspase-9 and caspase-3, and further activated the poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), finally induced cell apoptosis involving the mitochondrial pathway. Furthermore, free radical scavengers N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) pretreatment test testified that chimaphilin could increase the generation of ROS, then induce cell apoptosis. In general, the present results demonstrated that chimaphilin induced apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells via a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway.     

Berberine induces apoptosis in SW620 human colonic carcinoma cells through generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of JNK/p38 MAPK and FasL

Berberine is the major constituent of Coptidis Rhizoma with multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation, promotion of apoptosis and anticancer potential effect. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the causal relationship between tumorigenesis and pro-apoptotic function. Berberine is studied for the mechanism of its action in apoptotic pathway in human colonic carcinoma cell. Treatment of SW620 cells with 50 μM berberine resulted in activation of the caspase 3 and caspase 8, cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and the release of cytochrome c; whereas, the expression of BID and anti-apoptosis factor c-IAP1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-_XL were decreased markedly. Berberine-induced, dose-dependent induction of apoptosis was accompanied by sustained phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK, as well as generation of the ROS. Furthermore, the induction of apoptosis was alleviated by inhibitors specific for JNK and p38. In addition, there was an increase in the cellular levels of phospho-c-Jun, FasL and t-BID in the berberine-induced apoptosis via the activation of JNK and p38 signaling modules. NAC administration, a scavenger of ROS, reversed berberine-induced apoptosis effects via inhibition of JNK, p38 and c-jun activation, and FasL and t-BID expression. These results leads us to speculate that berberine may play an apoptotic cascade in SW620 cells by activation of the JNK/p38 pathway and induction of ROS production, providing a new mechanism for berberine-induced cell death in human colon cancer cells.     

甲基莲心碱对耐阿霉素人乳腺癌细胞凋亡抗性的影响

目的　探讨甲基莲心碱 (neferine ,Nef)对耐阿霉素人乳腺癌细胞 (MCF 7/Adr)凋亡抗性的影响及其机制。方法　应用Tunel法和PI染色流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡 ,间接免疫荧光流式细胞仪检测P gp的表达 ,高效液相色谱法(HPLC)检测细胞内阿霉素 (ADR)的浓度。结果　①MCF 7/Adr细胞能耐受 5mg·L- 1 ADR诱导的凋亡 ,而 1 ,5 ,1 0μmol·L- 1 Nef可使 5mg·L- 1 ADR诱导的MCF 7/Adr细胞凋亡从 7 95 %分别增加至 2 1 3 % ,2 7 9% ,61 3 % ;② 1 0μmol·L- 1 Nef可使MCF 7/Adr细胞内ADR积累由 0 52 μg·(1 0 6 cells) - 1 增加到 1 50 μg·(1 0 6 cells) - 1 ;③ 1 0 μmol·L- 1Nef作用 2 4h后 ,MCF 7/Adr细胞P gp的表达明显下降。结论　甲基莲心碱能逆转MCF 7/Adr细胞的凋亡抗性 ,其作用机制可能与抑制P gp的功能和表达、增加ADR在MCF 7/Adr细胞内的积累有关     

Tetrahydrocurcumin induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis involving p38 MAPK activation in human breast cancer cells

Curcumin (CUR) is a major naturally-occurring polyphenol of Curcuma species, which is commonly used as a yellow coloring and flavoring agent in foods. In recent years, it has been reported that CUR exhibits significant anti-tumor activity in vivo. However, the pharmacokinetic features of CUR have indicated poor oral bioavailability, which may be related to its extensive metabolism. The CUR metabolites might be responsible for the antitumor pharmacological effects in vivo. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is one of the major metabolites of CUR. In the present study, we examined the efficacy and associated mechanism of action of THC in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells for the first time. Here, THC exhibited significant cell growth inhibition by inducing MCF-7 cells to undergo mitochondrial apoptosis and G2/M arrest. Moreover, co-treatment of MCF-7 cells with THC and p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, effectively reversed the dissipation in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), and blocked THC-mediated Bax up-regulation, Bcl-2 down-regulation, caspase-3 activation as well as p21 up-regulation, suggesting p38 MAPK might mediate THC-induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest. Taken together, these results indicate THC might be an active antitumor form of CUR in vivo, and it might be selected as a potentially effective agent for treatment of human breast cancer.     

RY10-4对乳腺癌MCF-7裸鼠移植瘤的抑制作用及其机制

目的:探讨2-(1-羟基-4-酮-2,5-环己二烯)-吡喃-4-酮(RY10-4)对乳腺癌裸鼠移植瘤抑制作用及其可能的作用机制。方法:建立乳腺癌(MCF-7)裸鼠移植瘤模型,将造模裸鼠随机分为模型组、RY10-4低剂量组(7.5 mg·kg^-1)、 RY10-4高剂量组(15 mg·kg^-1)和紫杉醇组(15 mg·kg^-1);各组均采取隔天腹腔注射给药,检测各组荷瘤裸鼠移植瘤体积和体质量变化。给药16 d后,处死所有裸鼠,称取各组移植瘤质量,TUNEL法检测凋亡指数,并通过Western blot测定移植瘤中Bcl-2、Bax和MAPK 通路蛋白的表达。结果:与模型组比较,RY10-4低、高治疗组和紫杉醇组瘤体积明显减小,瘤质量明显减轻,抑瘤率分别为29.8%,47.2%,53.8%。TUNEL法结果显示,各治疗组能明显引起移植瘤细胞凋亡(P<0.01)。Western blot结果显示,随着RY10-4治疗量的增加抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2表达减弱,促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达增强,Bcl-2/Bax值显著下降,与模型组相比差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);另外,RY10-4治疗组移植瘤细胞中的p-p38和p-ERK表达量明显增加。结论:RY10-4能够抑制乳腺癌移植瘤的生长和诱导乳腺癌细胞的凋亡,其诱导凋亡作用可能与下调Bcl-2蛋白和上调Bax蛋白,降低Bcl-2/Bax值,并激活p38和ERK信号通路有关。     

Propolis induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells through Bcl-2/Bax regulation

We investigated mechanism(s) where propolis induces apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells. Propolis inhibited the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis and blocking cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase. Western blot analysis showed that propolis increases the expression of p21 and p27 proteins, and decreases the levels of cyclin B1, cyclin A, Cdk2 and Cdc2, thereby contributing to cell cycle arrest. DAPI staining assay revealed typical morphology features of apoptotic cells. Propolis-induced apoptosis was also confirmed by assays with annexin V-FITC, PI-labeling and DNA fragmentation assay. The increase in apoptosis level induced by propolis was associated with down-regulation of Bcl-2 and activation of caspase-3, but not with Bax. These results suggests that propolis-induced apoptosis is related to the selective activation of caspase-3 and induction of Bcl-2/Bax regulation.     

叶酸受体及二氢叶酸还原酶与人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7/ADR多药耐药的关系

目的以人乳腺癌多药耐药细胞系MCF-7/ADR及其敏感亲本系MCF-7为对象,探讨叶酸受体(FOLRα)及其下游基因二氢叶酸还原酶(DHFR)的表达与乳腺癌细胞多药耐药的关系。方法 MTT法测定阿霉素的细胞毒性作用及DHFR抑制剂对MCF-7/ADR细胞多药耐药的逆转作用;RT-PCR检测细胞FOLRα和DHFR mRNA的表达水平;免疫细胞化学检测FOLRα、P-gp的表达水平。结果 MCF-7细胞增殖速度快于MCF-7/ADR细胞,MCF-7细胞FOLRα mRNA转录水平较MCF-7/ADR细胞高,而MCF-7/ADR细胞DHFR mRNA较MCF-7细胞转录水平高;免疫细胞化学显示MCF-7细胞FOLRα的表达高于MCF-7/ADR细胞,而MCF-7/ADR细胞P-gp的表达较MCF-7细胞高;MCF-7/ADR对甲氨蝶啶无耐药性,甲氨蝶啶对MCF-7/ADR细胞多药耐药有逆转作用。结论 MCF-7/ADR细胞FOLRα的表达水平下调可能与细胞增殖水平有关,其下游基因DHFR表达水平与MCF-7/ADR细胞的MDR可能存在相关性。     

合江佛手挥发油调控Bcl-2/Bax蛋白表达诱导人恶性胶质瘤U87细胞凋亡

目的:研究合江佛手挥发油诱导人恶性胶质瘤U87细胞凋亡及对凋亡相关因子Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达的影响.方法:采用不同浓度的合江佛手挥发油作用于人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7、人恶性胶质瘤细胞U87、人肝癌细胞HepG2、人肺癌细胞A549,以CCK-8法(Cell Counting Kit-8 assay)筛选体外抗肿瘤活性...     

Growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells by a new series of substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives

The multiple pharmacological actions of unique synthetic compounds are a prerequisite for classifying a drug as highly efficacious, because the multiple pharmacological actions offer the possibility of treating various diseases like cancer. 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles are an important class of heterocyclic compounds with broad spectrum of biological activities. In this study we focused on the ability of these derivatives to induce apoptosis in cultured MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with varying concentrations of the different derivatives resulted in dose and time dependent sequence of events marked by apoptosis, as shown by loss of cell viability, chromatin condensation, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and sub G(0) phase accumulation. Furthermore, apoptosis in MCF-7 cell was induced by upregulation of proto-oncoprotein Bax and activation of Caspase-3 activated DNase. Although the derivatives induced apoptosis was associated with Bax protein levels, negligible Bcl-2 reduction was observed. Analysis of the data suggests that the substituted oxadiazole derivatives exert antiproliferative action and growth inhibition on MCF-7 cells through apoptosis induction and that it may have anticancer properties valuable for application in drug products.     

Effect of curcumin on multidrug resistance in resistant human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC7901/VCR

AIM: To investigate the reversal effects of curcumin on multidrug resistance (MDR) in a resistant human gastric carcinoma cell line. METHODS: The cytotoxic effect of vincristine (VCR) was evaluated by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis induced by VCR was determined by propidium iodide (PI)-stained flow cytometry (FCM) and a morphological assay using acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) dual staining. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function was demonstrated by the accumulation and efflux of rhodamine123 (Rh123) using FCM. The expression of P-gp and the activation of caspase-3 were measured by FCM using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-P-gp and anti-cleaved caspase-3 antibodies, respectively. RESULTS: Curcumin, at concentrations of 5 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L, or 20 micromol/L, had no cytotoxic effect on a parent human gastric carcinoma cell line (SGC7901) or its VCR-resistant variant cell line (SGC7901/VCR). The VCR-IC50 value of the SGC7901/VCR cells was 45 times more than that of the SGC7901cells and the SGC7901/VCR cells showed apoptotic resistance to VCR. SGC7901/VCR cells treated with 5 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L, or 20 micromol/L curcumin decreased the IC50 value of VCR and promoted VCR-mediated apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Curcumin (10 micromol/L) increased Rh123 accumulation and inhibited the efflux of Rh123 in SGC7901/VCR cells, but did not change the accumulation and efflux of Rh123 in SGC7901 cells. P-gp was overexpressed in SGC7901/VCR cells, whereas it was downregulated after a 24-h treatment with curcumin (10 micromol/L). Resistant cells treated with 1 mumol/L VCR alone showed 77% lower levels of caspase-3 activation relative to SGC7901 cells, but the activation of caspase-3 in the resistant cell line increased by 44% when cells were treated with VCR in combination with curcumin. CONCLUSION: Curcumin can reverse the MDR of the human gastric carcinoma SGC7901/VCR cell line. This might be associated with decreased P-gp function and expression, and the promotion of caspase-3 activation in MDR cells.     

Undecylprodigiosin selectively induces apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cells independent of p53

Undecylprodigiosin (UP) is a bacterial bioactive metabolite produced by Streptomyces and Serratia. In this study, we explored the anticancer effect of UP. Human breast carcinoma cell lines BT-20, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and T47D and one nonmalignant human breast epithelial cell line, MCF-10A, were tested in this study. We found that UP exerted a potent cytotoxicity against all breast carcinoma cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In contrast, UP showed limited toxicity to MCF-10A cells, indicating UP's cytotoxic effect is selective for malignant cells. UP's cytotoxic effect was due to apoptosis, as confirmed by positive TUNEL signals, annexin V-binding, caspase 9 activation and PARP cleavage. Notably, UP-induced apoptosis was blocked by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD.fmk, further indicating the involvement of caspase activity. Moreover, UP caused a marked decrease of the levels of antiapoptotic BCL-X(L), Survivin and XIAP while enhancing the levels of proapoptotic BIK, BIM, MCL-1S and NOXA, consequently favoring induction of apoptosis. Additionally, we found that cells with functional p53 (MCF-7, T47D) or mutant p53 (BT-20, MDA-MB-231) were both susceptible to UP's cytotoxicity. Importantly, UP was able to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells with p53 knockdown by RNA interference, confirming the dispensability of p53 in UP-induced apoptosis. Overall, our results establish that UP induces p53-independent apoptosis in breast carcinoma cells with no marked toxicity to nonmalignant cells, raising the possibility of its use as a new chemotherapeutic drug for breast cancer irrespective of p53 status.