• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.442-449
• /
• 2019

This study sought to evaluate the effects of Asiatic acid in LPS-induced BV2 microglia cells and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridine ($MPP^+$)-induced SH-SY5Y cells, to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Asiatic acid in Parkinson's disease (PD). SH-SY5Y cells were induced using $MPP^+$ to establish as an in vitro model of PD, so that the effects of Asiatic acid on dopaminergic neurons could be examined. The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in BV2 microglia cells to explore potential mechanisms for the neuroprotective effects of Asiatic acid. We showed that Asiatic acid reduced intracellular production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential to regulate mitochondrial dysfunction, and suppressed the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia cells. We additionally found that treatment with Asiatic acid directly improved SH-SY5Y cell viability and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by $MPP^+$. These data demonstrate that Asiatic acid both inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by downregulating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species directly to protect dopaminergic neurons from, and improves mitochondrial dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells, which were established as a model of Parkinson's disease. Our finding reveals that Asiatic acid protects dopaminergic neurons from neuroinflammation by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia cells as well as protecting dopaminergic neurons directly. This suggests a promising clinical use of Asiatic acid for PD therapy.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.298-303
• /
• 2019

This study investigated the cytotoxic effects and mechanism of action of asiatic acid in pancreatic cancer cell lines. First, we confirmed the cell viability of MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells after asiatic acid administration for 48 and 72 h. The viability of MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells decreased in a dose-dependent manner following asiatic acid administration. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we performed a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, annexin V assay, and western blotting. Asiatic acid induced apoptosis and autophagy through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in MIA PaCa-2 cells. Finally, the expression of miR-17 and miR-21, known as oncogenes in pancreatic cancer, was decreased by asiatic acid. These results indicate that asiatic acid has potential as a new therapeutic agent against pancreatic cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.963-967
• /
• 2014

Previous studies have suggested anti-tumor effects of asiatic acid in some human cancer cell lines. This agent is reported to increase the levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ in human breast cancer cell lines. However, the molecular mechanisms have not been established. Here we report that asiatic acid up-regulates $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein expression but not the level of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ mRNA in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Furthermore, we found that the asiatic acid induced increase of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein was associated with decreased phosphorylation (ser-146) of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$. Knockdown of NDR1/2 kinase, which directly phosphorylates $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein at ser-146 and enhances its proteasomal degradation, increased the levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein and eliminated the regulation of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ stability by asiatic acid. At the same time, the expression of NDR1/2 kinase decreased during treatment with asiatic acid in HepG2 cells. Moreover, asiatic acid inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, this being attenuated by knockdown of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$. In conclusion, we propose that asiatic acid inhibits the expression NDR1/2 kinase and promotes the stability of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein through attenuating NDR1/2 dependent phosphorylation of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ in HepG2 cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.29 no.7
• /
• pp.556-562
• /
• 2006

Ten semi-synthetic derivatives of asiatic acid were prepared and their wound healing effects were evaluated by employing a tensile strength assay and a wound area assay. Among them, ethoxymethyl 2-oxo-3,23-isopropylidene-asiatate (12) showed the strongest and the fastest wound healing activity. Furthermore, it left the smallest scar after healing.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.340.1-340.1
• /
• 2002

Centella asiatica is an herbal plant used on different continents by diverse ancient cultures and tribal groups. Historically. the extract has been used as a wound healing agent, The extract has three different triterpenoid ingredients: asiaticoside. asiatic acid, and madecassic acid. It has been reported that its wound healing activity is associated with the modulation of collagen synthesis in the skin dermis. The wound healing property of the extract has led to its commercial introduction under the trade name, Madecrlssol. As part of our program toward the development of new wound healing agents. structere activity relationship (SAR) studies have been performed by modifying asiatic acid. In this communication. the SAR study of esiatic acid for the development of an efficient woind healing agent is reported.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.977-982
• /
• 2007

For the development of novel hepatoprotective agents, C2, C3, C23 and C28 functional groups on asiatic acid were modified, and the prepared compounds were evaluated for their hepatoprotective effects. Among the prepared compounds, 9, 13 and 16 showed significant hepatoprotective activities against CCl4- and galactosamine (GaIN)-induced hepatotoxicity. Especially, compound 9 showed the most significant hepatoprotective effects against GaIN-induced hepatotoxicity (66.4% protection at 50 μM) and moderate hepatoprotective activities against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity (20.7% protection at 50 μM).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.970-976
• /
• 2007

For the development of novel hepatoprotective agents, C11, C28, C2,3,23 or C2,23,28 functional groups on asiatic acid were modified, and their hepatoprotective effects were evaluated. Most of the prepared compounds displayed potent hepatoprotective activities against CCl4- and galactosamine (GaIN)-induced hepatotoxicity. Especially, compounds 16 and 20 showed the most significant hepatoprotective effects against GaIN-induced hepatotoxicity (54.2% and 46.4% protection at 50 mM, respectively).

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 1998

Extract of Centella asiatica(ECA), which is poorly water-soluble extract from the Centella asiatica is known to express excellent wound healing properties. $ECA-{\beta}-cyclodextrin$ $(asiaticoside-{\beta}-cyclodextrin\;and\;genin-{\beta}-cyc1odextrin)$ solid dispersion system, which was prepared by freezedrying method, was formulated as gels containing poloxamer 407 and propylene glycol, and evaluated with respect to their viscosity, stability, skin permeation and drug amount in the skin of hairless mouse. The average molar ratio $asiaticoside-{\beta}-CD$ and $genin-{\beta}-CD$ was 1:1.7 and 1:22, respectively. When the molar ratio of genin and ${\beta}-CD$ was 1:5, madecassic acid made 100% solid dispersion system and asiatic acid about 65%. In dissolution study, >99% of asiaticoside from $asiaticoside-{\beta}-CD$ was dissolved in 5 minutes, and >99% madecassic acid and >64% asiatic acid from $genin-{\beta}-CD$. The apparent viscosity of poloxamer 407 gels with $ECA-{\beta}-CD$ solid dispersion system increased in proportion to poloxamer 407 and propylene glycol concentration. In the accelerated stability test, all $ECA-{\beta}-CD$ poloxamer 407 gels showed that asiaticoside was most stable and madecassic acid stable and asiatic acid similar to stability of gel with free ECA. The permeation amount of asiaticoside in poloxamer gels through hairless mouse skin decreased as the concentration of poloxamer 407 increased. When propylene glycol was added at the level of 10%, the permeation amount of asiaticoside at poloxamer gels through hairless mouse skin increased but from 15% it decreased. The permeation of asiaticoside into the skin of hairless mouse was estimated to be about $0.10\;{\mu}g/cm^2$.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.512-517
• /
• 2004

The structural relationship of 16 asiatic acid (AA) derivatives, including AA and asiaticoside (AS) to cytotoxicity and anti-hepatofibrotic activity in HSC-T6 cells, were investigated. Cytotoxicities of AA derivatives varied from 5.5 $\mu$M to over 2000 $\mu$M of $IC_{50}$/ depending on AA functional group modifications. Substituting the hydroxyl group at the C(2) to N≡C and substituting bulky groups for dihydroxyl groups at (3), (23) of the A-ring increased the cytotoxicity, but keto group at C(11) and benzoyl ester at C(2) were greatly reduced it. Modification of the carboxylic acid group at C28 also reduced the cytotoxicity. The collagen synthesis determined by hydroxyproline content in the cells was inhibited from a maximum of 48% (Zlx-i-85 and 87) to 15% (AS) by AA derivatives. The anti-hepatofibrotic effect of these compounds might be due to the reduced expression of prolyl 4-hydroxylase $\alpha$ and $\beta$ subunits and TIMP2. However, the inhibition of collagen by asiaticoside derivatives did not show any structural-activity relationship.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.123-134
• /
• 2020

Background: The lepidopteran Asiatic corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee), has caused huge economic losses throughout the Asian-Western Pacific region. Usually, chemical pesticides are used for the control, but excessive use of pesticides has caused great harm. Therefore, the inartificial ecotypic pesticides to ACB are extremely essential. In our previous study, we found that panaxadiol saponins (PDS) can effectively reduce the harm of ACB by causing antifeedant activity. Therefore, it is necessary to reveal the biological molecular changes in ACB and the functionary mechanism of PDS. Methods: We analyzed the global transcription of ACB with different PDS concentration treatment (5 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, and 25 mg/mL) by high-throughput sequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly method. Results: PDS treatment could cause the changes of many gene expressions which regulate its signal pathways. The genes in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway were significantly downregulated, and then, the downstream fatty acid degradation pathway had also been greatly affected. Conclusion: Through this experiment, we hypothesized that the occurrence of antifeedant action of ACB is because the PDS brought about the downregulation of FATP and FABP, the key regulators in the PPAR, and the downregulation of FATP and FABP exerts further effects on the expression of SCD-1, ACBP, LPL, SCP-X, and ACO, which leads to the disorder of PPAR signaling pathway and the fatty acid degradation pathway. Not only that, PDS treatment leads to enzyme activity decrease by inhibiting the expression of genes associated with catalytic activity, such as cytochrome P450 and other similar genes.