Eupatilin (Eup)

Eupatilin (5,7-Dihydroxy-3',4',6-trimethoxyflavone) is an O-methylated flavone, a type of flavonoids. It can be found in Artemisia asiatica (Asteraceae). Eupatilin inhibited the growth of MCF10A-ras cells in a concentration-dependent and time-related manner. To explore whether the anti-proliferative effects of eupatilin could be mediated through modulation of the cell cycle in MCF10A-ras, DNA contents were analyzed by the flow cytometry. Eupatilin inhibited the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin B1, Cdk2 and Cdc2 that are key regulators of the cell cycle. In addition, eupatilin treatment led to elevated expression of p53 and p27Kip1 that act as Cdk inhibitors. It has been known that the Ras-signaling pathway plays integral roles in the induction of cyclin D1. Eupatilin inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 as well as expression of Raf-1 and Ras in MCF10A-ras cells.