Gambogic Acid  (Synonyms: Beta-Guttiferrin)

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].

MCE has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

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.

MCE has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

• [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.  [Content Brief]

  [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.  [Content Brief]