Role of reactive oxygen species in 23-hydroxybetulinic acid-induced apoptosis in LoVo cells

AIM: To investigate the changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis of LoVo cells induced by 23-hydroxybetulinic acid.METHODS: LoVo cells were treated with 23-hydroxybetulinic acid. The apoptotic morphological change was observed under the light microscope. Intracellular ROS production and the rate of apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry.RESULTS: LoVo cells improved apoptotic morphological changes treated with 23-hydroxybetulinic acid for 48 h. At concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200 μmol/L of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, the apoptotic rates of LoVo cells were (7.17±2.31)%, (15.60±4.02)%, (32.47±5.25)% and (52.71±5.93)%, respectively. The results indicated a certain concentration-dependent relationship. 23-hydroxybetulinic acid caused an increase in the ROS production, and the ROS levels were 2.83±0.80, 5.97±1.72, 12.53±2.57 and 16.73±4.58. Compared with the control group (2.13±0.32), the increase in ROS production in LoVo cells at the concentration of 100, 200 μmol/L of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid treatment was significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: 23-hydroxybetulinic acid induces LoVo cell apoptosis. The production of ROS may play a crucial role in the process of the LoVo cell apoptosis.