Pulsatilla saponin D(SB365) isolated from the root of Pulsatilla koreana, has exhibited potential beneficial effects as a chemopreventive agent for critical health conditions including cancer.IC50 value:Target:SB365 effectively inhibited the growth of gastric cancer cells. Its apoptotic effect was accompanied by increased evidence of cleaved caspase-3 and poly(ADP ribose) polymerase. To elucidate the anticancer mechanism of SB365, we used an array of 42 different receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Of the 42 different phospho-RTKs, SB365 strongly inhibited expression of activated c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) in gastric cancer cells [1]. SB365 strongly suppressed the growth and proliferation of 5 human pancreatic cancer cell lines (MIAPaCa-2, BXPC-3, PANC-1, AsPC-1 and HPAC). The apoptotic effect of SB365 was demonstrated by increased levels of cleaved caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2 expression via mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as elevated numbers of terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic cells [2]. SB365 strongly suppressed the growth and proliferation of colon cancer cells and induced their apoptosis. Also, SB365 showed anti-angiogenic activity by decreasing the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF. These results were confirmed by an in vivo study showing that SB365 significantly inhibited tumor growth by the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis with stronger anticancer activity than 5-FU [3].

References:
[1]. Hong SW, et al. SB365, Pulsatilla saponin D, targets c-Met and exerts antiangiogenic and antitumor activities. Carcinogenesis. 2013 Sep;34(9):2156-69.
[2]. Son MK, et al. SB365, Pulsatilla saponin D suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. Oncol Rep. 2013 Aug;30(2):801-8.
[3]. Son MK, et al. SB365, Pulsatilla saponin D suppresses the proliferation of human colon cancer cells and induces apoptosis by modulating the AKT/mTOR signalling pathway. Food Chem. 2013 Jan 1;136(1):26-33.