Ursolic acid sensitizes bladder cancer to gemcitabine chemotherapy by concurrently targeting PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gemcitabine (GEM) is a first-line chemotherapy for bladder cancer (BCa), but its efficacy is limited by drug resistance and side effects. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural compound from medicinal herbs, has shown potential to enhance chemotherapy. This study investigates whether UA synergizes with GEM against BCa and explores the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Human BCa cell lines (T24 and 5637) were treated with GEM and/or UA in vitro. Cell viability was assessed via Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay; apoptosis was evaluated using Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry, and western blotting. A xenograft mouse model was employed for in vivo validation. Signaling pathways [phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (

SUBMITTER: Huang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12603850 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature