Tubeimoside-1 (TBMS1) extracted from Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim), is a traditional Chinese herb with anticancer potential. It induces apoptosis in a number of human carcinoma cell lines, but the mechanism has remained unclear. In the present study, we investigated the pro-apoptotic activity of TBMS1 against SKOV-3 cell lines and the underlying mechanisms. Treatment with TBMS1 resulted in dose- and time-dependent inhibition of proliferation, led to arrest in phase G2/M of the cell cycle and increased the levels of intracellular Ca2+. Furthermore, TBMS1 up-regulated the levels of the glucose-regulated protein 78/immunoglobuin heavy chain binding protein (GRP78/Bip), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 and down-regulated the levels of Bcl-2. It was shown to be linked to activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2 signal transduction pathway. A decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio with increased expression of caspase-3, and intracellular Ca2+ provide compelling evidence that TBMS1-induced apoptosis is mediated by the mitochondrial pathway. The results of the present study suggest that TBMS1 has immense potential in cancer prevention and therapy based on its antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing effects.

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