摘要

Purpose: To investigate the antitumor effects of madecassic acid and to investigate the mechanism by which madecassic acid treatment functions in malignancies.
Methods: Mouse colon CT26 cancer cells injected in mice subcutaneously and intraperitoneally were used to evaluate the tumor growth inhibition by madecassic acid administration. The immunomodulation, cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential change were evaluated by flow cytometry, cell immunostaining and JC-1 staining, respectively.
Results: Madecassic acid inhibited tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. CT26 cell apoptosis rate and of the cells from ascites was increased after madecassic acid treatment. Mitochondrial membrane potential in CT26 cells also decreased after madecassic acid treatment. CD4(+) and CD8(+) T- lymphocytes subpopulations increased, while the ratio of CD4(+)/ CD8(+) decreased in after madecassic acid administration.
Conclusions: Madecassic acid inhibits in vivo CT26 cell-induced tumor growth by facilitating cell apoptosis and increasing immune defense mechanisms.