Inhibitory effect of p-hydroxylcinnamaldehyde from Momordicae Semen on growth of mouse melanoma xenograft in vivo andstudy on its mechanism / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of p-hydroxylcinnamaldehyde (PHD) from Momordicae Semen seeds on growth of mouse melanoma B16 cells in vivo. Methods: The inhibitory effect of PHD on growth of mouse melanoma B16 cells was measured by MTS method. Morphological changes of B16 cells were observed by phase contrast microscope. The xenograft tumor models of B16 cells in mice were established and divided into two groups The mice in treatment group were treated with PHD (2 mg/kg) and in control group (treated with equal volume of normal saline). The growth of xenograft tumors in mice was observed and their sizes and weights were measured. The expression of Tyr, MMP-9, S-100B, p-P38, and p-ERK in tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemical method. Morphological changes of lung and liver tissues in mice were observed by HE staining. Results: PHD had obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of B16 cells in vitro (P < 0.01). The morphological changes of B16 cells were typically differentiated after treated with 20 μmol/L PHD for 48 h. The average volume and weight of tumor tissues in mice of PHD treatment group were significantly decreased as compared with those of the control group (P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, the expression levels of Tyr and p-P38 in PHD treatment group were increased (P < 0.05), while the expression levels of MMP-9, S-100B, and p-ERK were decreased (P < 0.05). No obvious morphological changes were found in liver and lung tissues of mice in PHD treatment group and the control group. However, lung tumor metastasis was found in control group mice. Conclusion: PHD has inhibitory effect on the growth of xenograft tumor of mouse melanoma cells in mice.