Effects of tanshinone II A and its nanoparticles on apoptosis and expression of p38 MAPK and TGFβ1 signaling proteins of hepatoma cells in mice / 肿瘤

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the anti-tumor effects of tanshinone II A (TS II A) and its nanoparticles (TS-NP) against hepatoma in mice and possible mechanism. Methods: TS-NP was prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Hepatoma model was established in mice. The cell apoptotic index was tested by TUNEL staining, and expression of p33 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and tumor growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) were detected by immunohistochemistry (SP method). Results: The weight of tumor in TS II A and TS-NP groups at different dosages was significantly lower than that in NS group (P < 0.01), and the survival time of mice in TS II A and TS-NP groups was significantly longer than that in NS group (P < 0.01). The apoptotic index of hepatoma cells in TS II A and TS-NP groups was increased compared with NS group (P < 0.01). The therapeutic outcome was more superior in TS-NP group than TS II A group at the same dosage. After treatment with TS II A and TS-NP, the expression of p38 MAPK was increased, but the expression of TGFβ1 was decreased (P < 0.01). The expression of p38 MAPK negatively correlated with TGFβ1 (r = -0.873, P < 0.001). Conclusion: TS II A and TS-NP could inhibit the growth of hepatoma and prolong the survival time of mice. The therapeutic outcome of TS-NP-treated group is better than that of TS II A-treated group at the same dosage. The anti-hepatoma mechanism may be associated with upregulation of the expression of p38 MAPK and downregulation of the expression of TGFβ1 which further inhibites cell proliferation and induces apoptosis.