23-Hydroxyursolic acid (23-HUA) has anti-nociceptive
and anti-inflammatory activity (12, 13). It is structurally very
similar to asiatic acid, the only difference being the absence
of an OH-group at position 2. However, to date, the
anticancer activity of 23-HUA has not been examined. In the
present study, it was found that 23-HUA, isolated from the
stem bark of Cussonia bancoensis, inhibited the growth of
human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells through
induction of apoptosis. Further, the mechanism of apoptosis
induction by 23-HUA in HeLa cells was investigated.