23-Hydroxybetulinic acid-mediated apoptosis is accompanied by decreases in bcl-2 expression and telomerase activity in HL-60 Cells.

23-Hydroxybetulinic acid, a derivative of betulinic acid, was investigated for its apoptotic effect and the associated telomerase activity in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Apoptosis and bcl-2 were determined by flow cytometry analysis. A PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay was used to detect telomerase activity. Results showed that 23-hydroxybetulinic acid induced growth arrest and apoptotic cell death in HL-60 cells. The apoptotic events were associated with concurrent down-regulation of bcl-2 and the telomerase activity. Our data suggest that 23-hydroxybetulinic acid may be a potential cytotoxic agent for treatment of cancer.