Shugan Liangxue Decoction () Down-Regulates Estrogen Receptor α Expression in Breast Cancer Cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Shugan Liangxue Decoction (, SGLXD) on estrogen receptor α (ERα) in human breast cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effect of SGLXD (0.85-5.10 mg/mL) on the proliferation of breast cancer cells were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The nuclear ERα protein levels in MCF-7, T47D and ZR-75-1 cells which treated by SGLXD for 24 h were examined by western blot and immunofluorescence assay. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated by 17β-estradiol (E2) with or without SGLXD, for 24 h, and the E2 targeted genes c-myc and bcl-2 protein product was evaluated by western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SGLXD showed dose-dependent inhibition on the proliferation of MCF-7, T47D and ZR-75-1 cells, but did not inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, the promotive effect on cell growth induced by E2 was also significantly inhibited by SGLXD treatment. With the treatment of 1.70, 3.40, 5.10 mg/mL SGLXD, the nuclear ERα protein level was reduced to 88.1%, 70.4% and 60.9% in MCF-7 cells, and was decreased to 43.0%, 38.4% and 5.9% in ZR-75-1 cells as compared with the control group. In T47D cells, the nuclear ERα protein was down-regulated to 51.3% and 4.3% by 3.40 and 5.10 mg/mL SGLXD treatment. The down-regulative effect of SGLXD on nuclear ERα was confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. SGLXD decreased the protein product of c-myc and bcl-2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SGLXD may exhibit selective inhibition effect on the proliferation of ER positive breast cancer cells. SGLXD reduced the nuclear ERα expression and the protein product of E2 target gene c-myc and bcl-2.</p>

Recent highlights of Chinese medicine for advanced lung cancer / 中国结合医学杂志

Owing to its unique superiority in improving quality of life and prolonging survival time among advanced lung cancer patients, Chinese medicine (CM) has, in recent years, received increased attentions worldwide. We utilized a bibliometric statistical method based on MEDLINE/GoPubMed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current application status of CM in lung cancer, by including annual and accumulated publications, origin distribution of countries and journals, and keywords with a higher frequency score. Then the relevant clinical trials and mechanistic studies were systematically summarized within the field according to research types. We have raised potential problems and provided potentially useful reference information that could guide similar studies in the future. The basic experimental results are highly consistent with clinical trials, leading us to conclude that CM can offer better overall therapeutic benefits when used in combination with routine Western medicine for patients with advanced lung cancer.

Recent highlights of experimental research for inhibiting tumor growth by using Chinese medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

To give an overview of contemporary experimental research using Chinese medicine (CM) for the treatment of cancer. As an integral part of mainstream medicine in the People's Republic of China, CM emphasizes improvements in holistic physical condition instead of merely killing tumor cells, which is consistent with the current medical model that advocates patient-oriented treatment. Great progress has been made in experimental research, and the principle aspects include anti-tumor angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis and differentiation, reversing multidrug resistance, and improving immune function. As a current hot topic in cancer research, tumor microenvironment (TME) highlights the mutual and interdependent interaction between tumor cells and their surrounding tissues, and the CM treatment concept bears a striking resemblance to it. To date, primary points of TME include extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis, but trials using CM with a focus on TME are rare. Despite considerable recent development, experimental research on CM for solving cancer issues appears insufficient. Greater efforts in this field are urgently needed.

Progress of research in antitumor mechanisms with Chinese medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

The anti-tumor effects of Chinese herbal medicines and their prescription preparations attracted more and more attention at home and abroad. Thus, it is becoming a hot research topic to exploit the anti-tumor mechanisms of Chinese medicine, and some of them have been partly clarified with the improved research ability to date. In brief, the Chinese herbal medicines possess unique advantages on the treatment of tumors through their multiple actions on multiple targets.

Research on components of Cornus officinalis extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of Cornus officinalis extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction (SFE).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The process was performed at 40 centigrade with pressures of 15 MPa for 2 hours and with CO2 fluid and gas at the flow rate of 22.0 kg x h(-1) and 18.0 kg x h(-1) respectively. The chemical constituents of the SFE extractions were determined by GC-MS.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The total amount of extractable substances or yields by SFE is 2.42% (mass). 31 Chemical constituents were identified and their relative contents were determined by normalization method of area.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The major components identified in the extractions are 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, butyl 2-methylpropyl ester, isopropyl myristate etc.</p>