SB365, Pulsatilla Saponin D Induces Caspase-Independent Cell Death and Augments the Anticancer Effect of Temozolomide in Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2019-09, Vol.24 (18), p.3230
• Main Authors: Hong, Jun-Man, Kim, Jin-Hee, Kim, Hyemin, Lee, Wang Jae, Hwang, Young-Il
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacology; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; autophagic flux inhibition; Autophagy; Autophagy - drug effects; Biocompatibility; Biomarkers; Brain cancer; Cancer therapies; Caspase; Caspases - metabolism; Cathepsin B; Cell death; Cell Death - drug effects; Cell growth; Cell Line, Tumor; Chemotherapy; Colorectal cancer; Cytotoxicity; Disease Models, Animal; DNA methylation; Flow cytometry; Glioblastoma; Glioblastoma - metabolism; glioblastoma multiforme; Humans; Lung cancer; lysosomal membrane permeabilization; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Melanoma; Membrane potential; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial - drug effects; Mice; Mitochondria; mitochondrial membrane potential; Mortality; Neutralization; Pancreatic cancer; Pulsatilla; Pulsatilla - chemistry; Pulsatilla saponin D; Radiation therapy; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Saponins; Saponins - chemistry; Saponins - pharmacology; SB365; Temozolomide; Tumor cell lines; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules24183230

SB365, a saponin D extracted from the roots of , has been reported to show cytotoxicity in several cancer cell lines. We investigated the effects of SB365 on U87-MG and T98G glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells, and its efficacy in combination with temozolomide for treating GBM. SB365 exerted a cytotoxic effect on GBM cells not by inducing apoptosis, as in other cancer cell lines, but by triggering caspase-independent cell death. Inhibition of autophagic flux and neutralization of the lysosomal pH occurred rapidly after application of SB365, followed by deterioration of mitochondrial membrane potential. A cathepsin B inhibitor and -acetyl cysteine, an antioxidant, partially recovered cell death induced by SB365. SB365 in combination with temozolomide exerted an additive cytotoxic effect in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, SB365 inhibits autophagic flux and induces caspase-independent cell death in GBM cells in a manner involving cathepsin B and mainly reactive oxygen species, and its use in combination with temozolomide shows promise for the treatment of GBM.