ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the radiosensitization effect of black garlic extract (BGE) on lung cancer cell line Lewis cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The inhibition rate of lung cancer cells after BGE action was detected by MTT. Effect of BGE combined radiotherapy on the colony formation rate was observed by cloning formation assay. Changes of the cell morphology were observed by Hoechst staining. Changes of the cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Real time PCR was used to detect mRNA expressions of bcl-2 and bax.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BGE could have significant inhibitory action on the growth of lung cancer Lewis cells. The combination of BGE and radiotherapy (by 60Co gamma) significantly induced Lewis cells' apoptosis in G2/M stage, obviously decreased the expression of bcl-2, and up-regulated the expression of bax.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BGE could sensitize the lung cancer Lewis cells to ionizing irradiation. This effect might be probably caused by changing the cell cycles and affecting expressions of bax and bcl-2.</p>