Major triterpenoids in Chinese hawthorn “Crataegus pinnatifida” and their effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis induction in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells
Shanlihong had potent antiproliferative effect against human cancer cells lines. Triterpenoids-enriched fraction (S9) with potent anticancer activity was prepared by semi-preparative HPLC. S9 fraction and ursolic acid induced MDA-MB-231 cells apoptosis through mitochondrial death pathway. S9 fraction and ursolic acid inhibit cell proliferation via PCNA, Cyclin D1 and CDK4 down-regulation and p21 up-regulation. S9 fraction and ursolic acid may responsible for the potent anticancer activity of Chinese hawthorn.