Regulation of saponins from Pulsatilla chinensis on energy metabolism of Bel-7402 xenograft in nude mice / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the antirumour activity of saponins from Pulsatilla chinensis against the Bel-7402 human hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft in nude mice, and to explore the mechanism of energy metabolism. Methods: The antitumor activity in vivo was estimated using a Bel-7402 xenograft model. The tumor volume was measured, the tumor inhibitory rate was calculated, the levels of lactic acid and ATP were assessed in Bel-7402 xenograft in nude mice, energy metabolic enzymes in Bel-7402 xenograft in nude mice were detected by ELISA assay, and hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) was detected by Western blotting assay. Results: The sapoinins from P. chinensis could inhibit the growth of Bel-7402 xenograft in a dose-depedent manner. The tumor inhibitory rates at the dose of 400, 200, and 100 mg/kg were 42.8%, 31.5%, and 14.9%. They had no side effects on white blood cell (WBC) in blood; The saponins from P. chinensis could decrease the contents of lactic acid and ATP. They also could decrease the levels of glycolytic enzymes phosphofructokinase (PFK), hexokinase-II (HK-II), and pyruvate kinase (PK), while increase the level of succinatedehydrogenase (SDH) that was the key enzyme during tricarboxylic acid cycle. Western blotting indicated that the expression of HIF-1α protein was significantly decreased in Bel-7402 xenograft in nude mice. Conclusion: The saponins from P. chinensis could inhibit the growth of Bel-7402 xenograft in nude mice in vivo, the mechanism is related with regulating energy metabolism through the HIF-1α pathway.