Comparative study on the regulatory effects on senescence related cell cycle gene expression by TCM principles of tonifying shen, invigorating pi benefiting qi, and activating blood circulation / 中国中西医结合杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects of TCM therapeutic principles of tonifying Shen (TS), benefiting Qi (BQ), invigorating Pi (IP) and activating blood circulation (ABC) herbs in regulating the gene expression in senescence related cell cycle.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Drug sera containing TCM herbs of the above-mentioned principles were used to treat the aged human diploid fibroblast cell line 2BS. The effect of TCM on the senescence related cell cycle and its related gene expression (P16INK4, Cyclin D1 and PCNA) were examined by means of cell proliferative doublings, flow cytometry, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TCM herbs of TS and BQ could improve the cell cycle, down-regulate the P16 and Cyclin D1 mRNA/protein expression, up-regulate PCNA mRNA/protein expression, while TCM herbs of IP and ABC showed insignificant effect on these indexes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TCM herbs of TS and BQ have effect in improving cell cycle, it may be achieved through promoting the P16 pathway of gene expression.</p>