Description
Madecassic acid is a triterpene originally found in Centella that exhibits anticancer chemotherapeutic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities. In macrophages, madecassic acid downregulates LPS-stimulated expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β; it also prevents activation of NF-κB and degradation of IκB kinase. In cellular and animal models of colon cancer, madecassic acid decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential, modulates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations, and induces apoptosis, inhibiting cell and tumor growth.