Effects of deguelin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human esophageal cancer cell Ec-109: an experimental research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of deguelin on the apoptosis and proliferation of human esophageal cancer cell Ec-109, and to explore its possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human esophageal cancer cells Ec-109 were in vitro cultured. They were divided into the blank control group, and 5, 10, 20, and 40 nmol/L deguelin groups. The inhibition on the proliferation was detected at 24, 48, and 72 h using CCK-8 assay. The early apoptosis rate at 24 h was detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax were detected at 24 and 48 h respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank control group at the same point, the growth inhibition rate in all deguelin groups increased at 24, 48, and 72 h, showing statistical difference (P <0.05). The early apoptosis rate was 4.37% +/- 0.35%, 6.71% +/-0.14%, 15.62% +/- 0.21%, and 19.78% +/- 0.15% in 5, 10, 20, and 40 nmol/L deguelin groups, respectively, showing statistical difference when compared with that of the blank control group (1.10% +/- 0.08%, P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, Bcl-2 protein expression obviously decreased, and Bax protein expression obviously increased in 10, 20, and 40 nmol/L deguelin groups, showing statistical difference (P <0.05). The aforesaid indices were in time- and dose-dependent manners.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Deguelin showed obvious effects on inhibiting the proliferation of Ec-109 cells and promoting their apoptosis, which was correlated with up-regulating Bax protein expression and down-regulating Bcl-2 protein expression.</p>

Effect of matrine on Fas, VEGF, and activities of telomerase of MCF-7 cells / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of matrine on Fas, VEGF, and activities of telomerase of MCF-7 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vitro cultured human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. The matrine solution was added in cells of the experimental group. Equal volume of culture medium was added in cells of the control group or the negative control group. Zedoary Turmeric Oil, the telomerase inhibitor was added in cells of the positive control group. Morphological changes were observed under an inverted microscope. The telomerase activity was detected by TRAP-ELISA. Expressions of Fas and VEGF protein were detected by immunocytochemical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Matrine obviously inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were treated by matrine of different concentrations at 24, 48, and 72 h, the telomerase activity gradually decreased along with increased matrine concentration and prolonged action time, showing dose-effect and time-effect positive relations. Matrine could up-regulate Fas protein expression and downregulate VEGF protein expression of MCF-7 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Matrine showed obvious effect in inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 cells and promoting the apoptosis, which might be achieved by up-regulating the expression of Fas protein, inhibiting telomerase activity induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells, down-regulating the expression of VEGF protein, and inhibiting the tumor vascular formation.</p>