Ursolic Acid Induces Apoptosis Of Lung Cancer Cells By Regulating Mir-21/Klf6 Axis

Background: Ursolic acid (UA) is considered a potential drug for the treatment of carcinoma due to its ability to inhibit the growth of carcinoma cells. However, the antitumor mechanism of UA has not been clarified. Objective: To understand the effects of UA on the biological behavior of lung cancer (LC) cells and its related mechanisms. Methods: Human LC cells were placed in a culture medium containing multiple incubation concentrations of UA at 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mu M, and miRNA-21 (miR-21) and Krupple-like factor 6 (KLF6) over-expression or inhibition vectors were transfected into LC cells. CCK-8, Transwell and flow cytometry were used to detect the changes in cell behavior after treatment. The relationship of miR-21 with KLF6 was analyzed by dual luciferase reports. Results: UA could inhibit the growth and invasion of LC cells and promote apoptosis. In addition, UA could also reduce miR-21 in LC cells. Down-regulation of miR-21 or increase of KLF6 could inhibit the proliferation, invasion and promote apoptosis of LC cells. miR-21 could negatively regulate KLF6. Both increasing miR-21 and inhibiting KLF6 could reduce the influence of UA on the biological behavior of LC cells. Conclusion: UA plays an anti-cancer role in LCs by regulating the miR-21/KLF6 axis.