Examination of the apoptotic effects of betulinic acid on renal cancer cell lines

Objective: Renal cancers are highly resistant to standard hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, and the survival rates are extremely low. Betulinic acid is a pentasilic triterpenoid saponin of lupine type obtained from various natural plants, especially from the shell of Betula plant. Betulinic acid was shown both in in vivo, and in vitro to have the ability to induce apoptotic pathways causing no toxicity for normal cells, and also has immunomodulatory effects. The aim of the present project is to investigate the anticancer effects of betulinic acid on CAKI-2 (ATCC (R) HTB-47T; clear cell renal carcinoma), ACHN (ATCC (R) CRL-1611T; renal cell adenocarcinoma) and MRC-5 (ATCC (R) CCL-171T: normal lung fibroblast) cell lines. Materials and Methods: The dose, and time-dependent cell viability was determined using the WST-1 test first in cell lines, and then apoptotic activity was determined with Annexin-V, apoptosis related nucleosomal enrichment factor levels, and Caspase 3 / BCA activity. Results: Betulinic acid reduced the CAKI-2, and ACHN cell viability in dose, and time-dependent manner inducing the apoptotic pathway. Conclusion: Researchers in the present study concluded in accordance with the results of Annexin-V, apoptosis-associated nucleosomal enrichment factor levels and Caspase 3 / BCA activity that betulinic acid triggered the apoptosis in both renal cancer cell lines, especially by the Caspase 3 activity.