Betulinic Acid and Betulin Suppress Melanoma Growth by Modulating Apoptosis and Autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK Pathways.

ABSTRACT: Malignant melanoma (MM) is a highly invasive and metastatic form of skin cancer. Betulinic acid (BA) and betulin (BE) possess pharmacological activities such as heat-clearing, detoxification, and anti-tumor effects, with BA showing potent selective cytotoxicity against melanoma cells. However, their underlying mechanisms in MM treatment remain unclear. Herein, this study systematically evaluated the anti-melanoma effects of BA and BE via integrated network pharmacology, in vitro and in vivo assays. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that BA and BE exerted anti-MM effects mainly by regulating apoptosis, angiogenesis and autophagy through the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. In vitro, both BA and BE inhibited colony formation and migration of B16-F10 cells, induced apoptosis by enha

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12841062 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature