ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antitumor effects of koumine in mice bearing H22 solid tumor and its effect on the immune system of the mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The changes in spleen and tumor weights and blood cell count were observed after koumine treatment in BALB/c athymic mice bearing H22 solid tumor, using normal saline solution and 5-Fu as the controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Koumine significantly inhibited the tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. The spleen index and blood cell counts in koumine group showed no significant differences from those in the saline control group, but higher than those in 5-Fu group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Koumine can significantly inhibit the growth of H22 solid tumor without obvious inhibitory effect on the immune system in mice.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic , Therapeutic Uses , Gelsemium , Chemistry , Indole Alkaloids , Therapeutic Uses , Liver Neoplasms, Experimental , Drug Therapy , Allergy and Immunology , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Nude , PhytotherapyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the cell biological mechanism of koumine-induced apoptosis of human colonic adenocarcinoma cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of LoVo cell koumine on the membrane potential, mitochondrial membrane potential, concentration of cytosolic free calcium, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and gap junctional intercellular communication was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS AND CONCLUSION</b>Koumine lowered the membrane potential and mitochondrial membrane potential of LoVo cells and decreased the concentration of free cytosolic calcium, which was increased to a level higher than the basal one after addition of EDTA. Koumine also increased the reactive oxygen species and enhanced the gap junctional intercellular communication of LoVo cells. These findings may explain the possible mechanisms of koumine-induced LoVo cell apoptosis.</p>