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ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Buzhong Yiqitang-containing serum in alleviating the cisplatin resistance in human non-small cell lung cancer （A549/DDP） cells via regulating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/reactive oxygen species （ROS） signaling pathway. MethodThe serum containing Buzhong Yiqitang was prepared and A549/DDP cells were cultured and randomly grouped： blank （10% blank serum）， cisplatin （10% blank serum+20 mg·L-1 cisplatin）， Buzhong Yiqitang （10% Buzhong Yiqitang-containing serum+20 mg·L-1 cisplatin）， ML385 （10% blank serum+5 μmol·L-1 ML385+20 mg·L-1 cisplatin）， Buzhong Yiqitang+ML385 （10% Buzhong Yiqitang-containing serum+5 μmol·L-1 ML385+20 mg·L-1 cisplatin）， tertiary butylhydroquinone （TBHQ） （10% blank serum+5 μmol·L-1 TBHQ+20 mg·L-1 cisplatin）， and Buzhong Yiqitang+TBHQ （10% Buzhong Yiqitang-containing serum+5 μmol·L-1 TBHQ+20 mg·L-1 cisplatin）. The median inhibitory concentration （IC50） of cisplatin in each group was determined by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method and the resistance index （RI） was calculated. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. The ROS content of each group was determined with the DCFH-DA fluorescence probe. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of Nrf2， cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （cleaved Caspase-3）， cytochrome C （Cyt C）， and B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）. ResultCompared with those in the cisplatin group， the IC50 and RI of A549/DDP cells to cisplatin in Buzhong Yiqitang， ML385， and Buzhong Yiqitang+ML385 groups decreased （P˂0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the cisplatin， Buzhong Yiqitang， ML385， and Buzhong Yiqitang+ML385 groups showed increased apoptosis rate of A549/DDP cells （P˂0.05）. Compared with the blank group， cisplatin promoted the expression of Nrf2 （P˂0.05）. Compared with the cisplatin group， Buzhong Yiqitang， ML385， and Buzhong Yiqitang+ML385 inhibited the expression of Nrf2 （P<0.05）， elevated the ROS level （P˂0.05）， up-regulated the protein levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and Cyt C， and down-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.05）， which were the most significant in the Buzhong Yiqitang+ML385 group. Compared with the cisplatin group， the TBHQ group showed increased IC50 and RI of cisplatin （P<0.05）， decreased apoptosis rate of A549/DDP cells （P<0.05）， up-regulated protein levels of Nrf2 and Bcl-2 （P<0.05）， lowered level of ROS （P˂0.05）， and down-regulated protein levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and Cyt C （P<0.05）. Compared with the TBHQ group， Buzhong Yiqitang+TBHQ decreased the IC50 and RI of cisplatin in A549/DDP cells （P<0.05）， increased the apoptosis rate （P<0.05）， down-regulated the protein levels of Nrf2 and Bcl-2 （P<0.05）， increased ROS （P˂0.05）， and up-regulated the protein levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and Cyt C （P<0.05）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang induced apoptosis by inhibiting Nrf2/ROS pathway to alleviate cisplatin resistance in A549/DDP cells.
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Objective: To investigate the effect and its underlying molecular mechanisms of essential oil from Saussurea costus in esophageal cancer cell line Eca109. Methods: The chemical composition of essential oil from Saussurea costus was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The anti-proliferative, anti-migrative, and apoptotic effects of essential oil from Saussurea costus against Eca109 cells were analyzed. Moreover, the expression of proteins associated with cell cycle, metastasis, and apoptosis was determined. Results: GC-MS analysis showed that essential oil from Saussurea costus was predominantly comprised of sesquiterpenes. Saussurea costus essential oil inhibited the viability of Eca109 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner with IC 50 values of (24.29±1.49), (19.16±2.27) and (6.97±0.86) μg/mL at 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively. The expression levels of target proteins in the cell cycle (phase G 1 /S), including cyclin D1, p21, and p53, were affected by Saussurea costus essential oil. The essential oil also downregulated the expression of metastasis-related proteins MMP-9 and MMP-2. Moreover, it induced apoptosis of Eca109 cells through the mitochondrial pathway, as well as inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. Conclusions: The essential oil from Saussurea costus exhibited anti-proliferative, anti-migrative, and apoptotic effects on Eca109 cells, and could be further explored as a potential anti-esophageal cancer agent.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanism of Radix Kansui (RK) stir-fried with vinegar (VRK) decreased hepatotoxicity in mice.@*METHODS@#According to a random number table, 40 mice were randomly divided into negative control group (0.5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium, 20 mL/kg), positive control group (0.1% mixture of carbon tetrachloride in soybean oil, 20 mL/kg), RK group (the ethyl acetate extracts of RK, 250 g crude drug/kg) and VRK group (the ethyl acetate extracts of VRK, 250 g crude drug/kg) with 10 mice per group. All mice were administered orally by gavage daily for 7 continuous days. The morphology of liver tissues was examined to assess the liver injury by a transmission electron microscope. Hepatocyte apoptosis in vivo was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nickend labeling (TUNEL) assay. Immunohistochemical technique was adopted to detect the expression of particular antiapoptotic and proapoptotic proteins in the mitochondrial pathways, including B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) and caspase-3, as well as the expression of inflammatory mediators, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF- κ B) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).@*RESULTS@#Liver injury and hepatocyte apoptosis were observed in RK mice, and the liver injury were significantly reduced in VRK-treated mice. In immunohistochemistry study, compared with the negative control group, RK inhibited dramatically the Bcl-2 protein expression and significantly increased the expression of caspase-3, NF- κ B and ICAM-1 (all P<0.01). Compared with the RK group, VRK group induced significant increase on Bcl-2 protein expression, and decreased the caspase-3, NF- κ B and ICAM-1 protein expression (P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The mechanism of reduced hepatotoxicity of VRK may be associated with the reduced inflammation, regulation of antiapoptotic and proapoptotic mediators in the mitochondrial pathway.
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Objective: To explore the expression levels of miR-23a-3p and miR-27a-3p in the sera of mice with ulcerative colitis (UC) and their potential action mechanisms. Methods: Twenty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group and the model group with 10 mice in each group. The model group mice were induced orally by water with 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 d. During the induction period, the general condition, fecal morphology and occult blood status of the mice were observed. After 7 d, the whole blood and colon tissues of mice were collected, and the colon lengths and wet weights were measured. The expressions of miR-23a-3p and miR-27a-3p in the sera were detected by qRT-PCR. The expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, coactivator-1α (PPARGC1A), PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 2 (PHLPP2), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX), cytochrome c (CYT-C) and cleaved cysteine-containing aspartate-specific protease (cleaved-caspase-3) were detected by Western blotting. Results: After DSS induction, the model group mice showed mental depression, weight loss, diarrhea, and bloody stool, whose colon lengths were shortened and colon wet weights decreased. The UC model was constructed successfully. In the model group, the expressions of miR-23a-3p and miR-27a-3p in the sera decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the expressions of PPARGC1A, PHLPP2, BAX, CYT-C and cleavedcaspase- 3 in the colon tissues increased significantly (P<0.05), but BCL-2 decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: The expressions of miR-23a-3p and miR- 27a-3p are low in the sera of UC mice, which may be involved in the occurrence and development of UC by up regulating the expressions of PPARGC1A and PHLPP2 in the colons and triggering mitochondrial pathway to induce apoptosis.
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BACKGROUND: The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway is an important pathway in cell apoptosis. Previous studies have found that Bushen Zhuangdu Fang can improve intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in animal experiments. However, its mechanism of action is to be clarified. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of serum containing Bushen Zhuangdu Fang on mitochondrial apoptotic pathway key proteins of human nucleus pulposus cells, and to explore the mechanism by which this drug-containing serum improves intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS: Thirty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank group, low-dose Chinese medicine group (0.506 g/kg per day), medium-dose Chinese medicine group (1.012 g/kg per day) and high-dose Chinese medicine group (2.024 g/kg per day). After 2 weeks of continuous administration, drug-containing serum was prepared. Human nucleus pulposus cells were randomly divided into normal group, cell model group, low-dose drug-containing serum group, medium-dose drug-containing serum group, and high-dose drug-containing serum group. The cell model group was treated with 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 6 hours, and the normal group received no treatment. The three drug-containing serum groups were treated with corresponding treatments for 48 hours. The pathological changes of nucleus pulposus cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Apoptotic rate of nucleus pulposus cells was detected by flow cytometry and mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by flow cytometry. Apaf1, Bcl-2, Bax and Cytc expressions were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the normal group, the apoptotic rate of nucleus pulposus cells with obvious apoptotic morphology was significantly increased (P < 0.05), the expression of Apaf1, Cytc, and Bax were significantly increased at mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.05), and the mitochondrial membrane potential and expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in the cell model group (P < 0.05). After treatment with drug-containing serum, the apoptotic rate of nucleus pulposus cells decreased significantly (P < 0.05), the expression of Apaf1, Cytc, Bax and their proteins decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the mitochondrial membrane potential, Bcl-2 and their proteins increased significantly (P < 0.05). Therefore, the serum containing Bushen Zhuangdu Fang can effectively inhibit apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells in a dose-dependent manner. The drug-containing serum may alleviate intervertebral disc degeneration by reducing the expression of Apaf1, Cytc and Bax and increasing the expression of Bcl-2 at protein and gene levels, and inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
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Objective::To study the toxic effect of Polygoni Multiflori Radix alcohol extract (PME) on L02 cells and the mechanism of ROS inducing apoptosis via mitochondria pathway, so as to provide a basis for the rational and safe administration of Polygoni Multiflori Radix in clinic. Method::The 4, 5-dimethly-2-thiazolyl-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect the cell viability of PME at different concentrations (5, 10, 20 g·L-1). Nuclear morphology was observed by Hoechst 33342 staining. The apoptosis rate of cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI. The release rate of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the cells were detected by kit instruction. The changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. The relative protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), cysteinyl aspartate proteinase-9(proCaspase-9) and cysteinyl aspartate proteinase-3 (proCaspase-3) in the PME-administered group were detected by Western blot. Result::After treatment with PME at the concentration of 5, 10, 20 g·L-1, the survival rate of L02 cells were decreased in a concentration and time-depended manner. After treatment with PME for L02 cells, nucleus shrinkage, fragmentation and chromatin condensation were observed under fluorescence after Hoechst 33342 staining. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining showed a upward cell apoptosis rate in PME 20 g·L-1 group. Compared with the normal control group, the release rate of LDH was significantly increased (P<0.01), the intracellular ROS level was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the SOD activity was significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the MMP rate was significantly decreased in PME 5, 10, 20 g·L-1 groups (P<0.05). With the increase in the concentration of PME, proCaspase-3, proCaspase-9, Bcl-2 protein showed a significantly downward trend in PME 10, 20 g·L-1 groups (P<0.01), while the expression of Bax protein was significantly up-regulated in PME 20 g·L-1 group (P<0.05). Conclusion::The study illustrated that PME have toxic effects on L02 cells, which may destroy the structure of hepatocytes to a certain extent, promote ROS levels, induce oxidative stress, activate the mitochondrial pathway, and then activate apoptosis-related proteins to cause cells damage. It is suggested that ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway was involved in PME-induced apoptosis.
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Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most prevalent malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. However, the therapies to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma are still limited and the emergence of drug resistance leads to the development of new anti-cancer drugs and combinational chemotherapy regimens. Our study was aimed to explore the anticancer effects of the essential oil extract (EEEO) from Euphorbia esula which has been widely used in traditional Chinese folk medicine and possessed potential cytotoxic effects in several human tumor cells. However, the mechanisms of EEEO-induced anti-proliferation and apoptosis have not been completely elucidated. In this study, EEEO was prepared by hydro-distillation and the main chemical component of EEEO was identified by GC-MS. HepG2 cells were treated with EEEO in vitro and then evaluated with respect to proliferation, apoptosis, and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic proteins. Our studies showed that EEEO decreased cell viability, elevated ROS levels, and induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Bcl-2 was down-regulated, while Bax was up-regulated in HepG2 after EEEO treatment. These results suggest that EEEO induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells and indicate that this apoptosis might be mediated by the mitochondrial pathway.
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@#[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the effect of lncRNA SNHG15 targeting miR-153 on cell viability and apoptosis of breast cancer cells and its apoptotic mechanism. Methods:The expression of SNHG15 in breast cancer cell lines(MDA-MB-231, BT-549 and MCF-7) were detected by Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR). MDA-MB-231 cells were divided into control (Ctrl) group, si-NC group, si-SNHG15 group, si-SNHG15+anti-NC group and si-SNHG15+anti-miR-153 group. Cell viability and apoptosis rate were detected by MTT and Flow cytometry, respectively. The targeting relationship between SNHG15 and miR-153 was verified by Dual luciferase report gene system. Mitochondrial membrane potential fluorescent probe (JC-1) staining method was used to detect cell mitochondrial membrane potential. The expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase3, cleaved caspase3 [c-caspase3] and Cyt-C）were detected by Western blotting. Results: The expression of SNHG15 in breast cancer cells was significantly higher than that in human normal mammary epithelial MCF10A cells (P<0.01). There was a targeting relationship between SNHG15 and miR-153. Compared with the control group, the cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential of MDA-MB-231 cells in si-SNHG15 group were decreased, while apoptosis rate was increased (all P<0.01); the expressions of Bcl-2 and caspase3 were decreased while expressions of Bax, c-caspase3 and Cyt-C were increased (all P<0.01). However, co-transfection of si-SNHG15 and anti-miR-153 significantly attenuated the effects of si-SNHG15 on cell viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase3, c-caspase3 and Cyt-C (all P<0.01). Conclusion: lncRNA SNHG15 can target miR-153 to induce apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of apoptosis of mitochondrial pathway.
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Objective:To explore the mechanism of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in rat degenerative intervertebral disc cells in improving intervertebral disc degeneration under the action of Bushen Zhuangdu recipe. Method:The 100 SD male rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, low, medium and high dose Bushen Zhuangdu recipe group (0.38,0.77,1.53 g·kg-1).Histopathological changes of rat intervertebral discs were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining after 4 weeks of continuous administration of Chinese medicine. The apoptotic rate of nucleus pulposus cells in degenerative intervertebral discs was detected by TUNEL(terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling), and the levels of active Cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3(active Caspase-3), B cell leukemia-2(Bcl-2), cytochrome C (cytC) and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax) protein in intervertebral discs were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with blank group, the histopathological score of intervertebral disc in the model group was significantly increased, the apoptosis rate of nucleus pulposus was significantly increased (PPPPPPConclusion:Bushen Zhuangdu recipe may improve the degeneration of intervertebral disc by reducing the expression of active Caspase-3, cytC and Bax, increasing the expression of Bcl-2 and inhibiting the apoptotic pathway of mitochondria in a dose-dependent manner.
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Objective@#To investigate the influence of Brucine on cell apoptosis of pancreatic cancer CFPAC-1 cells and the possible mechanism.@*Methods@#Brucine in different concentrations were used to treat CFPAC-1 cells. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay and cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometer assay. Mitochondrial membrane potential was examined by JC-1 staining. The protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was measured by Western Blot.@*Results@#The growth inhibition rates of CFPAC-1 cells after being treated with 0 (control group), 0.4 and 0.8 mmol/L Brucine for 24, 48 and 72 h were 0, (30.23±0.55)%, (40.61±0.15)%, (46.98±1.27)% and(50.17±0.75)%, (61.23±0.91)%, (70.32±0.40)%, increasing with a concentration- and time-dependent increase, which was higher than that in control group; and the differences between either two groups at different time points were statistically significant (P<0.05). CFPAC-1 cell apoptosis rate after being treated with 0, 0.4 and 0.8 mmol/L Brucine for 48 h was (2.92±0.46)%, (4.64±1.31)% and (13.09±0.65)%, which increased gradually with the increased drug concentration. The apoptotic rate in 0.8 mmol/L treatment group was obviously higher than that in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). With the increase of the drug concentration, the red fluorescence gradually decreased, and the green fluorescence gradually increased, indicating that the mitochondrial membrane potential was severely damaged and thus decreased. The protein expression of Bcl-2 in CFPAC-1 cells were(0.92±0.12), (0.67±0.14)and(0.35±0.14)mmol/L, and the expression of Bax in CFPAC-1 cells were(0.56±0.12), (0.85±0.10)and(1.15±0.12)mmol/L. With the increase of brucine concentration, the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced while the expression of Bax was significantly increased; and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Brucine can effectively induce the apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer CFPAC-1 cells through mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by up-regulating the expression of Bax and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2.
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Objective: To investigate the anti-hepatocarcinoma effect and mechanisms of the alkali hydrolysate of total saponins from Pulsatilla chinensis (PAHS). Methods: MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of PAHS on proliferation of human liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721 in vitro; Cell morphology was observed by Giemsa staining. The effects of PAHS on apoptosis, cell cycle, and mitochondrial membrane potential of SMMC-7721 were detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry assay; Western blotting was employed to detect the protein expression of Cytochrome C, Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-3, and Bcl-2 in SMMC-7721 cells. An in vivo liver cancer model was established using ICR mice subcutaneously received H22 hepatoma carcinoma cells to detect tumor growth inhibitory rate. Morphological changes of the tumor samples were observed by HE staining and transmission electron microscope. Results: MTT assay showed that PAHS could inhibit proliferation and increase apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells in dose-and time-dependent manners in vitro, block the cell cycle in S phase, and decrease mitochondria membrane potential; PAHS could significantly increase the expression of Cytochrome C and cleaved Caspase-3 and decrease the expression of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3. PAHS dramatically decreased the weight of tumor tissue in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological examination showed that large necrosis area and apoptotic cells were found in tumor tissues of mice in PAHS administrated group. Conclusion: PAHS exerts antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo by inducing apoptosis, and its mechanism is related to regulation of the mitochondrial pathway.
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Objective To investigate the influence of Brucine on cell apoptosis of pancreatic cancer CFPAC-1 cells and the possible mechanism. Methods Brucine in different concentrations were used to treat CFPAC-1 cells. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay and cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometer assay. Mitochondrial membrane potential was examined by JC-1 staining. The protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was measured by Western Blot. Results The growth inhibition rates of CFPAC-1 cells after being treated with 0 (control group), 0. 4 and 0. 8 mmol/L Brucine for 24, 48 and 72 h were 0,(30. 23 ± 0. 55)％,( 40. 61 ± 0. 15 )％, ( 46. 98 ± 1. 27 )％ and ( 50. 17 ± 0. 75 )％, ( 61. 23 ± 0. 91 )％, ( 70. 32 ± 0. 40)％, increasing with a concentration-and time-dependent increase, which was higher than that in control group; and the differences between either two groups at different time points were statistically significant (P<0. 05). CFPAC-1 cell apoptosis rate after being treated with 0, 0. 4 and 0. 8 mmol/L Brucine for 48 h was ( 2. 92 ± 0. 46 )％, ( 4. 64 ± 1. 31 )％ and ( 13. 09 ± 0. 65 )％, which increased gradually with the increased drug concentration. The apoptotic rate in 0. 8 mmol/L treatment group was obviously higher than that in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). With the increase of the drug concentration, the red fluorescence gradually decreased, and the green fluorescence gradually increased, indicating that the mitochondrial membrane potential was severely damaged and thus decreased. The protein expression of Bcl-2 in CFPAC-1 cells were(0.92 ±0.12),(0.67 ±0.14)and(0.35 ±0.14)mmol/L,and the expression of Bax in CFPAC-1 cells were(0. 56 ± 0. 12),(0. 85 ± 0. 10)and(1. 15 ± 0. 12)mmol/L. With the increase of brucine concentration, the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced while the expression of Bax was significantly increased;and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 05). Conclusions Brucine can effectively induce the apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer CFPAC-1 cells through mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by up-regulating the expression of Bax and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2.
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Objective: Hederacolchiside A1, exhibits cytostatic and cytotoxic activity against various cancer cells in vitro, however, the mechanism is not well understood. Methods: In this study, Hederacolchiside A1 from Pulsatilla chinensis was isolated and tested its anticancer activity and mechanism. Hederacolchiside A1 could inhibit proliferation of A549, SMMC-7721, BEL-7402, and MCF-7 cells by MTT assay. Investigations of apoptosis of treated cancer cells were identified in hederacolchiside A1 by flow cytometric analysis of annexin V expression. Results: Based on the results of western blotting and JC-1 staining, hederacolchiside A1 reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential and Bcl-2 protein levels, whereas cleaved caspase-3 was higher. Furthermore, hederacolchiside A1 effectively inhibited the phosphorylations of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In vivo study showed that hederacolchiside A1 (3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 mg/kg, ip) could significantly inhibit the weight of tumor in an H22 xenograft model. Similar inhibitory activities were observed when the compound (3.25, 7.5, and 15.0 mg/kg, ig) was tested in nude mice xenograft tumor models using human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: These data indicated that hederacolchiside A1 suppressed the proliferation of human tumor cells by inducing apoptosis through modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Allicin on the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons induced by lead in rats.Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 3 weeks were randomly divided into 6 groups,10 rats in each group,which were low dose group(A-L),medium-dose group(A-M) and high dose (A-H) Allicin group and lead exposure group (Pb group),dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) group and blank control group.The blank control group animals were treated with ultrapure water,and the other 5 groups received 1.0 g/L lead acetate aqueous solution instead of ultrapure water after 20 days and they were treated them with compounds by oral gavage.The doses of Allicin in group A-L,A-M group and A-H group were 2.7 mg/kg and 5.4 mg/kg,and 10.8 mg/kg,respectively.The DMSA dose was 10.8 mg/kg,and the Pb group was given 9 g/L saline.After the model was established,the rats were sacrificed to collect whole blood and hippocampus.Blood lead and tissue lead concentrations were measured,and the level of apoptosis in hippocampus was observed by TUNEL staining.The levels of cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteases (caspase)-3,caspase-9,poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) mRNA and caspase-3,caspase-9,PARP activated protein and cytochromes C distribution in the hippocampus cells were detected by using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR),Western blot,and immunofluorescence staining.Results (1) Lead levels in the blood lead and hippocampus of rats in A-L group,A-M group and A-H group [(190.54±11.33) μg/L,(0.28 ±0.03) μg/L;(159.55 ±16.94) μg/L,(0.22 ±0.06) μg/L;(l16.62 ±8.85) μg/L,(0.19 ±0.01) μg/L] were lower than those in Pb group [(271.34 ±21.23) μg/L,(0.31 ±0.04) μg/L],and there were significant differences (all P ＜ 0.05).The blood lead and hippocampal lead levels in the DMSA group [(50.12 ± 7.44) μg/L,(0.15 ± 0.03) μg/L] were lower than those in the A-L group,A-M group and A-H group.(2) The results of TUNEL staining showed that the apoptosis levels of hippocampus in A-L group,A-M group and A-H group were lower than that in Pb group [(2.81 ±0.17)％,(2.08 ±0.28)％,(1.33 ±0.08)％ vs.(4.23 ±0.17)％],and there were significant differences (all P ＜ 0.05);the apoptosis level of hippocampus in the DMSA group [(2.63 ± 0.32) ％] was higher than that in the A-M group and the A-H group,which was lower than that in the Pb group.(3) qPCR results showed that the levels of caspase-3,caspase-9 and PARP mRNA in A-H group were down-regulated compared with Pb group (1.07 ± 0.05,1.02 ± 0.02,1.11 ± 0.02 vs.1.34 ± 0.02,1.26 ±0.05,1.93 ± 0.07).The differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The expression levels of caspase-3 and PARP mRNA in A-L group and A-M group were down-regulated (1.21 ± 0.05,1.43 ± 0.12,1.16 ± 0.02,1.20 ± 0.06 vs.1.34 ± 0.02,1.93 ± 0.07),and there were significant differences (all P ＜ 0.05),and there was no significant change in caspase-9 mRNA;the mRNA levels of caspase-3,caspase-9 and PARP in A-H group (1.07 ± 0.05,1.02 ± 0.02,1.11 ± 0.02) were lower than those in DMSA group (1.14 ± 0.02,1.15 ± 0.08,1.32 ±0.05).(4) Western blot results:compared with Pb group,the expression levels of activated caspase-3,caspase-9 and PARP protein in A-H group were down-regulated (A-H group:0.44 ± 0.15,0.58 ± 0.25 and 0.31 ±0.19,0.23 ±0.07 vs.Pb group:0.69 ±0.13,0.72 ±0.22 and 0.55 ±0.21,0.43 ±0.10),the expression of activated caspase-9 protein in A-M group was lower than that in Pb group (A-M group:0.59 ±0.18 vs.Pb group:0.72 ± 0.22),and there were significant differences (all P ＜ 0.05);the expression of activated caspase-3 and RARP protein in A-H group was lower than that in DMSA group.(5) Fluorescence staining showed that the expression of cytochrome C in cytoplasm of A-L group,A-M group and A-H group were significantly lower than that of Pb group and DMSA group.Conclusion Allicin can inhibit the apoptosis of hippocampus cells in rats with lead poisoning through mitochondrial pathway.The effect of Allicin on apoptosis inhibition may be better than DMSA.
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Objective To explore the effect of reduced alpha - cardiac actin 1(ACTC1)gene expression on the rat embryonic cardiomyocytes H9C2 cell apoptosis and its mechanism. Methods The rat embryonic cardiomyocytes H9C2 cell was cultivated;the rat embryonic cardiomyocytes H9C2 cell was transfected with ACTC1 - small interfering RNA(siRNA),and at 24 h,48 h,72 h after transfection,the cells were collected for extraction and purification of RNA, the real - time quantitative PCR(qPCR)method was used to detect the expression level of ACTC1 gene;and the termi-nal deoxynucleotidyl transferase - mediated dUTP - biotin nick end labeling assay(TUNEL)method was used to ex-plore the effect of reduced ACTC1 gene expression on the rat embryonic cardiomyocytes H9C2 cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Cyto C,cysteine - containing aspartate - specific proteases(Caspase)- 3, Caspase - 8,Caspase - 9,Bcl - 2 and Bax. Results The expression of ACTC1 mRNA detected by qPCR decreased compared with that of the scramble siRNA group in 24 h,48 h,72 h(0. 80 vs. 1. 00,0. 20 vs. 1. 00,0. 25 vs. 1. 00),and in the ACTC1 - siRNA group decreased significantly at 48 h,72 h,and the difference was statistically significant(t =4. 245,P < 0. 05);TUNEL positive cells rate significantly increased in the ACTC1 - siRNA group(80％)compared with that in the scramble siRNA group(20％),and the difference was statistically significant(P < 0. 05);Western blot also confirmed that the expression of Caspase - 3,Caspase - 9,Cyto C and Bax/ Bcl - 2 were accordingly increased (0. 91 ± 0. 12 vs. 0. 59 ± 0. 01,0. 48 ± 0. 09 vs. 0. 24 ± 0. 03,0. 92 ± 0. 03 vs. 0. 45 ± 0. 01,2. 25 ± 0. 26 vs. 1. 16 ± 0. 12),and the differences were statistically significant(t = 2. 821,7. 336,2. 420,0. 798,all P < 0. 05);but the expre-ssion of Caspase - 8 had no obvious change,and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0. 05 ). Conclusions Reduced ACTC1 gene expression can induce the rat embryonic cardiomyocytes H9C2 cell apoptosis perhaps mainly through endogenous mitochondrial signal transduction pathways.
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Objective To investigate whether advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can induce the expression of Ros,JC-1 and its apoptosis-related proteins in glomerular mesangial cells under high glucose environment,induce apoptosis and injury of glomerular mesangial cells.Methods Rat glomerular mesangial cell line HBZY-1 was cultured in vitro.The cells were cultured with different concentrations of AGEs for 0,12,24 and 48 hours respectively.MTT assay was used to observe the cell proliferation ability.After the optimal time and concentration of AGEs were selected,the caspase enzyme inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) were cultured and the apoptosis rate was detected by cell death detection apoptosis ELISA plus and Annexin V-FITC/PI kit.JC-1 staining was used to detect the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).Cell ROX deep red flow cytometry was used to detect the total ROS level.The expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2,pro-apoptotic protein BAX,caspase-9,caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP)-activated fragments was detected by Western blotting.Results AGEs could decrease the activity of glomerular mesangial cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner,and induce cell death.The percentage of apoptotic cells in glomerular mesangial cells was significantly increased after treatment with 250 mg/L AGEs for 24 h (P ＜ 0.01),and Z-VAD-fmk could significantly alleviate AGEs-induced glomerular mesangial cell apoptosis (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the control group,AGEs increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and decreased MMP in a time-dependent manner,and the two time points that AGEs significantly caused the change were 1 h and 2 h (all P ＜ 0.01).AGEs also reduced the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax,cleaved caspase-9,cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP (all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with AGEs group,NAC could significantly stabilize MMP (P ＜ 0.01),increase Bcl-2 expression (P ＜ 0.01),and decrease the expression of BAX,cleaved caspase-9,cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion AGEs induce mitochondrial pathway apoptosis in glomerular mesangial cells by increasing intracellular ROS level and destroying MMP.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism underlying 1,2-dichloroethane(1,2-DCE) induced apoptosis by screening differentially expressed proteins in human astrocytes( HAs). METHODS: HAs were cultured in complete medium with 1,2-DCE at various concentrations of 0-80 or 0-40 mmol/L. After 24 hours,apoptosis of HAs was evaluated using flow cytometry and staining with annexin Ⅴ-fluoresce in isothiocyanate and propidium iodide. An AAH-APO-1-2 protein chip was used to screen differentially expressed proteins and quantitative real-time polymease chain reaction(qRT-PCR) was used to verify related differentially expressed genes(DEGs). RESULTS: At 1,2-DCE concentrations of0-80 mmol/L,the total apoptosis rate of HAs increased with 1,2-DCE concentrations in a dose-dependent manner( P <0. 01). Seven different kinds of proteins were screened out by apoptotic protein chip. Among them,the expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein( IGFBP)-1,IGFBP-4 and cytochrome C( Cyto C) were up-regulated,while the expression of P27,cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-3( Caspase-3),B-cell lymphoma-2 interacting mediator of cell death( BIM) and BH3 interacting domain death agonist( BID) were down-regulated compared with the control group. The result of DEGs verified by qRT-PCR showed that the expression of mRNA of IGFBP-1,IGFBP-4 and Cyto C at 1,2-DCE concentrations of 40 mmol/L was up-regulated. This result was in consistent with the trend of target expression in the protein chip. The mRNA expression of Caspase-3,BIM and BID was also up-regulated. CONCLUSION: 1,2-DCE induces apoptosis of HAs through mitochondrial pathway.
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OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of toosendanin (TSN)on the apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cell and to clarify the related mechanism. METHODS: CAVO-3 and A2870 cells were treated with toosendanin of different concentrations, and CCK-8 method was used to detect the cell survival rate, colorimetric method was used to measure the activities of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, EdU method was used to determine the cell proliferation rate, and Western blot method was used to test the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Cyto-C protein. RESULTS: TSN could significantly inhibit the survival of CAVO-3 and A2870 cells with dose-(r=0.869 1, P<0.05) and time-(r=0.776 5, P<0.05) dependent manners. The survival rate of A2870 cell with TSN dropped significantly (P<0.05). The activities of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 were significantly increased by TSN in CAVO-3 and A2870 cells, however, the inhibitors of Caspase-3 (z-DEVE-FMK) and Caspase-9 (z-LEHD-FMK) could reverse those effect of TSN (P<0.05) and also reverse the survival rates of CAVO-3 and A2870 cells (P<0.05). In addition, TSN could increase the expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Cyto-C protein in A2870 cells notably, which could be reversed mostly by Caspase-9 inhibitor (z-LEHD-FMK)(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TSN could induce the apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cell through up-regulating the activities of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, and then activates the mitochondrial pathway.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of LAMS-2 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer cell line LOVO. METHODS: LOVO cells were treated with different concentrations of LAMS-2,3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and morphology observation were performed with Hoechst 33258 dye to determine the effects of LAMS-2 on the proliferation and apoptosis of LOVO cells. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrion permeability transition pore (MPTP) and mitochondrial membrane potential (△ψm). Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was used to analyze intracellular calcium ion concentration, Western blot was performed to analyze the expressions of Cyt-C, caspase-9 and caspase-3. Spectrophotometer was applied to quantify the activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3. RESULTS: LAMS-2 inhibited LOVO cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, the apoptosis morphology was obvious. LAMS-2 treatment increased the intracellular level of ROS and Ca2+; activated intracellular MPTP and decreased △ψm; it also induced the release of Cyt-C and the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, increased the activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3. CONCLUSION: LAMS-2 can effectively inhibit the proliferation of LOVO cells and induce apoptosis through a mitochondria-mediated pathway. Keywords:
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Objective: To study the effects of celastrol on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of human Glioma U87 cells and investigate its preliminary action mechanism. Methods: MTT assay were used to evaluate the effects of celastrol on U87 cells proliferation, and flow cytometry were performed to detect U87 cells apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential. Expression of apoptosis related proteins in mitochondria pathway were detected by western blotting. Transwell migration assay and wound healing assay were used to study the migration ability of U87 cells. Results: After treatment with different concentrations of celastrol, the proliferation of U87 cells was significantly inhibited. The flow cytometry assay showed that celastrol decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced the apoptosis of U87 cells. The mechanism of apoptosis showed that celastrol could significantly regulate the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome C, caspase-9, and caspase-3 in mitochondria pathway. Additionally, celastrol significantly inhibited the migration of U87 cells. Conclusion: Celastrol significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis of U87 cells, which may be mediated by the regulation of mitochondrial pathway related apoptosis proteins.