Ethyl Acetate Extract of Asclepias curassavica Induced Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells via Activating p38 and JNK MAPK Signaling Pathways
Zheng X, Xu Y, Liu B and others. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, June 2019.
Read the paper Free to read · doi:10.1155/2019/9076269
What this paper is about
Tropical milkweed is used against tumours in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine without a clear mechanism behind it.
An ethyl acetate extract was tested on human cancer cells and in mice, and the cells died by apoptosis through the p38 and JNK signalling pathways.
Summarised here from the abstract below. Not the authors’ words.
Abstract
Background. Asclepias curassavica L. (Asclepiadaceae), as a traditional medicinal plant, is used as treatment for tumors in traditional Chinese and Indian medical practice. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unresolved. The current study investigated its antitumor activity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Method. Cell viability was detected by a real-time cell analysis system and MTT assay. Antitumor effect of ethyl acetate extract of Asclepias curassavica (EAAC) on NIC-H1975 tumors in vivo was assessed in BALB/c-nu/nu mouse. Apoptosis was measured using Hoechst33342 staining and Annexin V/PI-staining. Apoptosis-related proteins and MAPK signaling pathways were analyzed based on Western blot assay. Results. EAAC exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity in vitro than other polar parts. Meanwhile, EAAC could inhibit sensitive cell line NIC-H1975 proliferation in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, EAAC had a significant inhibitory effect on NIC-H1975 tumor growth in BALB/c-nu/nu mouse. NIC-H1975 cells showed obvious apoptosis characteristics after EAAC treatment. Fas, caspase family members caspase 3, caspase 9, and caspase 8 showed dose-dependent induction by EAAC treatment, with increasing PARP cleavage. Additionally, EAAC significantly downregulated antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2, XIAP, survivin, and Mcl-1 and upregulated proapoptosis proteins Bak, Bax, as well as activation of p38 and JNK MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, inhibiting p38 and JNK MAPK by pharmacological inhibitors abrogated EAAC-induced apoptosis. Conclusion. Our data indicated that EAAC exerted potent antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo by triggering the apoptotic pathway.
Abstract reproduced from the published paper, which is licensed CC BY. Copyright remains with the authors.
Milkweeds in this paper
- Tropical Milkweed Asclepias curassavica
Related reading in this guide
Find the paper
Cite this page
This page is licensed CC BY 4.0. Quote it, adapt it and reuse it, including commercially, as long as you credit Milkweed USA and link back.
Milkweed USA. (2026). Ethyl Acetate Extract of Asclepias curassavica Induced Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells via Activating p38 and JNK MAPK Signaling Pathways (listing). Retrieved DATE, from https://milkweedusa.com/research/ethyl-acetate-extract-of-asclepias-curassavica-induced-apoptosis-in-2019/
"Ethyl Acetate Extract of Asclepias curassavica Induced Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells via Activating p38 and JNK MAPK Signaling Pathways (listing)." Milkweed USA, 2026, https://milkweedusa.com/research/ethyl-acetate-extract-of-asclepias-curassavica-induced-apoptosis-in-2019/. Accessed DATE.
Milkweed USA. "Ethyl Acetate Extract of Asclepias curassavica Induced Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells via Activating p38 and JNK MAPK Signaling Pathways (listing)." Last modified 2026-08-01. Accessed DATE. https://milkweedusa.com/research/ethyl-acetate-extract-of-asclepias-curassavica-induced-apoptosis-in-2019/.
@misc{milkweedusa_researchethylacetateextracto,
title = {Ethyl Acetate Extract of Asclepias curassavica Induced Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells via Activating p38 and JNK MAPK Signaling Pathways (listing)},
author = {{Milkweed USA}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://milkweedusa.com/research/ethyl-acetate-extract-of-asclepias-curassavica-induced-apoptosis-in-2019/},
note = {Accessed DATE}
}