Gambogic Acid

Gambogic acid is derived from the gamboges resin of the tree Garcinia hanburyi. Gambogic acid inhibits Bcl-XL, Bcl-2, Bcl-W, Bcl-B, Bfl-1 and Mcl-1 with IC50s of 1.47 μM, 1.21 μM, 2.02 μM, 0.66 μM, 1.06 μM and 0.79 μM.

Signaling Pathways >> Autophagy >> Autophagy

Signaling Pathways >> Apoptosis >> Bcl-2 Family

Research Areas >> Cancer

Natural Products >> Others

Bcl-B:0.66 μM (IC50)

Mcl-1:0.79 μM (IC50)

Bfl-1:1.06 μM (IC50)

Bcl-2:1.21 μM (IC50)

Bcl-xL:1.47 μM (IC50)

Bcl-W:2.02 μM (IC50)

Autophagy

Gambogic Acid is a medicinal compound derived from the gamboges resin of the tree, Garcinia hanburyi. Gambogic Acid has documented cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines in culture, with concentrations required for killing 50% of cells (LD50 of ~1 μM). The activity of Gambogic Acid against the 6 human anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-family proteins is contrasted, using FPAs. Gambogic Acid displaces to various extents FITC-BH3 peptide binding to all 6 proteins, with apparent IC50 1.47 μM for Bcl-XL, 1.21 μM for Bcl-2, 2.02 μM for Bcl-W, 0.66 μM for Bcl-B, 1.06 μM for Bfl-1, and 0.79 μM for Mcl-1[1]. The growth inhibitory effects of Gambogic Acid (GA) or Cisplatin (CDDP) on A549, NCI-H460, and NCI-H1299 cells are assessed by the MTT assay after 48 h exposure. A concentration-dependent inhibition of cell growth is observed with Gambogic Acid and CDDP, with IC50s of 3.56±0.36 and 21.88±3.21 μM for A549 cells, 4.05±0.51 and 25.76±4.03 μM for NCI-H460 cells, and 1.12±0.31 μM and 25.21±4.38 μM for NCI-H1299 cells[2].

To further investigate whether Gambogic Acid synergises CDDP against tumour growth in vivo, A549 tumors are implanted in SCID mice. When mice are treated with CDDP combined with Gambogic Acid, the tumor inhibition rate is 69.3%, whereas those of mice treated with CDDP and GA alone are 57.2% and 29.0%, respectively[2].

The in vitro cell viability effects of Gambogic Acid, CDDP alone, or combined treatments are determined by MTT assay. The cells (2×104 cells per mL) are seeded into 96-well culture plates. After overnight incubation, A549 cells are treated with Gambogic Acid (0.44, 0.88, 1.75, 3.5, 7, 10.5 and 14 μM); NCI-H460 cells are treated with Gambogic Acid (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 μM); NCI-H1299 cells are treated with Gambogic Acid (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 μM). For the combined treatment in NSCLC cells, three sequences are tested: (a) Gambogic Acid followed by CDDP cells are exposed to Gambogic Acid for 48 h, and then after washout of Gambogic Acid, cells are treated with CDDP for an additional 48 h; (b) CDDP followed by Gambogic Acid cells are exposed to CDDP for 48 h, and then after washout of CDDP, cells are treated with Gambogic Acid for an additional 48 h; and (c) concurrent treatment cells are exposed to both Gambogic Acid and ADM for 48 h. The nature of the drug interaction is analysed by using the combination index (CI)[2].

Mice[2] To determine the in vivo antitumour activity of Gambogic Acid combined with CDDP, viable A549 cells (5×106/100 μL PBS per mouse) are subcutaneously injected into the right flank of 7- to 8-week-old male SCID mice. When the average tumor volume reach 100 mm3, the mice are randomly divided into four treatment groups, including control (saline only, n=5), Gambogic Acid (3.0 mg/kg per 2 days, intravenously; n=6), CDDP (4 mg/kg per week, intravenously; n=6), and sequential combination (CDDP treatment one day before Gambogic Acid treatment, n=6). CDDP (4 mg/kg, weekly) is generally administered at doses less than the maximum-tolerated dose in an attempt to allow any additive effects of combination treatment with platinum-based agents and Gambogic Acid to be more easily detected. Tumor size is measured once every 2 days with a calipre. Body weight is recorded once every 2 days. After 14 days, the mice are killed and the tumors are excised and stored at -80 °C until further analysis.

[1]. Zhai D, et al. Gambogic acid is an antagonist of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. Mol Cancer Ther. 2008 Jun;7(6):1639-46.

[2]. Wang LH, et al. Gambogic acid synergistically potentiates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer through suppressing NF-κB and MAPK/HO-1 signalling. Br J Cancer. 2014 Jan 21;110(2):341-52.

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MOLECULAR FORMULA :

C38-H44-O8

MOLECULAR WEIGHT :

628.82

HEALTH HAZARD DATA

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

TYPE OF TEST :

LD50 - Lethal dose, 50 percent kill

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Intraperitoneal

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - rat

DOSE/DURATION :

88 mg/kg

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Liver - other changes

REFERENCE :

IJEBA6 Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. (Publications & Information Directorate, CSIR, Hillside Rd., New Delhi 110 012, India) V.1- 1963- Volume(issue)/page/year: 5,96,1967

TYPE OF TEST :

LD50 - Lethal dose, 50 percent kill

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Intravenous

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - rat

DOSE/DURATION :

107 mg/kg

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Liver - other changes

REFERENCE :

IJEBA6 Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. (Publications & Information Directorate, CSIR, Hillside Rd., New Delhi 110 012, India) V.1- 1963- Volume(issue)/page/year: 5,96,1967

TYPE OF TEST :

LD50 - Lethal dose, 50 percent kill

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Subcutaneous

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - mouse

DOSE/DURATION :

354 mg/kg

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value

REFERENCE :

85GDA2 "CRC Handbook of Antibiotic Compounds," Vols.1- , Berdy, J., Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 1980- Volume(issue)/page/year: 8(1),331,1982

TYPE OF TEST :

LD50 - Lethal dose, 50 percent kill

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Unreported

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Mammal - species unspecified

DOSE/DURATION :

55 mg/kg

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value

REFERENCE :

85PEAG "Zhongliu Yanjiu" Cancer Review, Yu, R., et al., eds., Shanghai Science/Technology Publisher, Peop. Rep. China, 1994 Volume(issue)/page/year: -,220,1994