Effect of gecko alcohol extract on human esophageal squamous carcinoma cell line EC9706 and anti-tumor activity in vivo / 中国中药杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the anti-tumor activity of gecko alcohol extract in vitro and in vivo.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>in vitro, the inhibitory effect of gecko alcohol extract on proliferation of human esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells was measured by MTT colorimetric assay. Morphological change of apoptotic cells was observed by Hoechst33258 fluorescence staining and apoptosis induced by gecko alcohol extract was evaluated in TUNEL assay. The expression of apoptosis protein Bax and Bcl-2 in EC9706 cells was investigated by immunohistochemistry. in vivo, the inhibitory effect of gecko alcohol extract on tumor growth was examined on S180 sarcoma model.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After gecko alcohol extract (6-8 g x L(-1)) treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h separately, EC9706 cell proliferation was significantly inhibited in both dose- and time- dependent manner (P < 0.01). Cell apoptosis in gecko alcohol extract-treated group (6, 7 g x L(-1)) was significantly higher than that in control group [(12.73 +/- 3.84)%, (9.80 +/- 2.32)% vs. (5.87 +/- 2.54)%, P < 0.05, P < 0.01]. Although the level of Bcl-2 did not change significantly, the expression of Bax was rembarkably up-regulated in gecko alcohol extract treated group. Gecko alcohol extract inhibited the growth of S180 sarcoma in Kun-ming mice at all doses (0.6, 1.2, 2.4 g x kg(-1)) of administration. The inhibitory rate was 44.88%, 63.94% and 69.53% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>From tumor inhibitory test, gecko alcohol extract shows significantly inhibitory effect in vitro and in vivo. The increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio is mechanistically linked to the gecko alcohol extract-induced tumor cell apoptosis.</p>