Maslinic Acid Inhibits Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia by Suppressing Interleukin-6 and Enhancing Apoptosis in a Mouse Model

Background: Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) directly precedes cervical cancer, and elevated proin-flammatory cytokine Interleukins (IL)-6 is implicated in CIN. Objective: As maslinic acid exhibits anti-IL-6 property, the present study sought to determine the effect of maslinic acid on CIN in vitro and in vivo using cell cultures and mouse CIN models, respectively. Methods: The dose-effect of maslinic acid on HeLa cells, a human cervical cancer cell line, was first evaluated, includ-ing cytotoxicity, IL-6 secretion, IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) expression, proliferation potential and apoptosis status. A mouse model of CIN was also established, which was then subjected to increasing doses of maslinic acid treatment, followed by assessment of serum IL-6 level, cervical expression of IL-6R, and the proliferation potential and apoptosis of cervi-cal tissues. Results: Maslinic acid dose-dependently inhibited cell growth and proliferation potential, reduced IL-6 secretion, cer-vical expression of IL-6R and induced apoptosis of HeLa cells in vitro. In the CIN mouse model, serum IL-6 level and cervical expression of IL-6R were elevated, which could be repressed by maslinic acid administration dose-dependently. Additionally, maslinic acid treatment in the CIN mice could also restore the otherwise increased prolif-eration potential and reduced apoptosis in the cervical tissues. Conclusion: Maslinic acid exhibits potent anti-IL-6 property in the CIN mouse model, and alleviates the disease-related abnormality in proliferation potential and apoptosis state of the cervical tissue cells, demonstrating its useful-ness as a promising agent in treating CIN.