β-elemene acts as an antitumor factor and downregulates the expression of survivin, Bcl-xL and Mta-1.

β-elemene, a non-cellular antineoplastic agent, may be used to effectively inhibit the growth and proliferation of various types of tumor cells by inhibiting the nucleic acid synthesis or inducing their apoptosis and differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression, as well as the effects, of Mta-1, survivin and Bcl-xL in T24 bladder cancer cells following β-elemene treatment. The expression of the three proteins in T24 cells following β-elemene treatment was analyzed by immunocytochemistry staining and western blot analysis. The survival rate and apoptosis of T24 cells following β-elemene treatment was detected by MTT assay and TUNEL staining. We analyzed the internal corelations between apoptosis-associated genes, tumor metastasis-associated genes (cancer genes) and cell apoptosis, and investigated the mechanism of action by which β-elemene induces the apoptosis of T24 cells at a molecular level. These results provide scientific evidence for further study on the anticancer effect of β-elemene in carcinoma of the urinary bladder. In this study, it is shown that β-elemene downregulates the expression of survivin, Bcl-xL and Mta-1 in tumor cells. The apoptosis of T24 cells is dependent on the dosage and length of incubation time of β-elemene.