The preliminary research of the effect of Gum mastic combined with gemcitabine in human pancreatic carcinoma BxPc-3 cells and its mechanism / 中华肝胆外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of Gum mastic combined with gemcitabine on human pancreatic carcinoma BxPc-3 cells and its mechanism.Methods Cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay and propidium iodine staining,respectively.After BxPc-3 cells were treated with different concentrations of Gum mastic and gemcitabine,the expression of NF-κB p65 subunit,IkB,Bcl-2 and Bax proteins was detected by Western blot.BxPc-3 cells were injected subcytaneously into nude mice to establish pancreatic xenograft tumors,and the changes of tumor volume were monitored.Results Compared to either single agent,treatment with Gum mastic (40 mg/L) combined with gemcitabine (10 mg/L) for 72 h signi cantly inhibited the proliferation of BxPc 3 cells (P＜0.01).Its rate of apoptosis(45.13±4.01)was more than Gum mastic,gemcitabine(P＜0.01) and control group (5.07 ± 1.37,P＜ 0.01).When cells were treated with gemcitabine in combination with gum mastic in human pancreatic carcinoma BxPc-3 cells for 48 h,the IκB level was increased,whereas NF-κB activation was blocked; the expression of Bax protein was substantially increased,but Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated; gum mastic or combined with gemcitabine could significantly inhibit the growth of pancreatic xenograft tumors (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Gum mastic could effectively strengthen the sensitivity of human pancreatic carcinoma BxPc-3 cells to gemcitabine.It may inhibit the expression of NF-κB p65 subunit and Bcl-2 proteins and increase the expression of IκB and Bax proteins.