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Aim To investigate the effects of berberine on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human liver cancer HepG2 cells induced by transforming growth factor-pi ( TGF-pl ) and its mechanism. Methods MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activity of berberine on HepG2 cells. After 10 ng • L"1 TGF-pl was used to induce EMT model process of HepG2 cells, berberine was added to treat HepG2 cells. Colony formation, cell scratch and Transwell assays were used to detect the clonogenic, migratory and invasive capabilities of HepG2 cells. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of EMT mesenchymal marker Vimentin. Western blot assay was used to detect the proteins expression of EMT marker (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail), matrix metallopro-teinase ( MMP-2), TGF-p/Smad pathway (Smad2, p-Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad3) in HepG2 cells. Results Berberine inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a concentration-time dependent manner. Compared with TGF-pl group, berberine could significantly inhibit the abilities of colony formation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells. Berberine could significandy inhibit the expression of E-cadherin protein up-regula-ted by TGF-pl, and N-cadherin, Vimentin;, Snail, MMP-2, p-Smad2, p-Smad2 proteins expression down-regulated by TGF-pl. Conclusions Berberine may interfere with the EMT process of HepG2 cells induced by TGF-pl by inhibiting the TGF-p/Smad 'signaling pathway to inhibit the HepG2 cell migration and invasion.
RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To research the effects of Guizhi Fuling capsule on sex hormones levels in blood serum and breast issue morphology of hyperplasia of mammary glands model rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The unpregnancy SD rat models of hyperplasia of mammary glands were established by injecting 0.5 mg x kg(-1) benzoate estradiol. After five weeks doses,the effects of Guizhi Fuling capsule 2.0, 1.0, 0.5 g x kg(-1) and Rupixiao tablet 0.5 g x kg(-1) on the changes of papilla diameter, height and breast issue morphology of the naimal models were explored, and sex hormones levels in blood serum were measured.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Guizhi Fuling capsule can inhibitnipple swell, improve breast tissue morphology pathological profiles of the animal models, and decrease oestradiol (E2) level and increase progesterone (P) level in blood serum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggested that Guizhi Fuling capsule could, improve mammary gland pathological profiles. Regulating sex hormone levels may be its important mechanism for treatment of hyperplasia of mammary glands.</p>