23-hydroxy Betulinic acid is a triterpenoid that has been found in P. chinensis and has anticancer activity.1 It inhibits proliferation of K562, B16, and HeLa cells (IC50s = 39.9, 78.5, and 80 ?M, respectively), as well as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs; IC50 = 94.8 ?M). It halts the cell cycle at the S phase and induces apoptosis in K562 cells in a concentration-dependent manner with a loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in Bax and cytochrome C protein levels.
1.Liu, M., Zhao, X., Xiao, L., et al.Cytotoxicity of the compounds isolated from Pulsatilla chinensis saponins and apoptosis induced by 23-hydroxybetulinic acidPharm. Biol.53(1)1-9(2015)