ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of anti-tumor activity of Acanthopanax gracilistylus extract (Age). METHODS: The tumor cells proliferation was detected by using (3H)-TdR incorporation method, and the effects of Age on cell cycle of tumor cells, retinoblastoma (Rb) protein and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk) were analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blotting assay, respectively. RESULTS: It was indicated by cytoactivity test in vitro that Age only had effect in inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells, it couldn't lead to death of cells. Under action of Age, the proliferation of tumor cells was halted at G0/G1 stage of cell cycle, and showed no direct cytotoxic effect by Age. Age could induce lowering of the expression of Rb, Cdk2 and Cdk4, cause halt of tumor cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: The tumor inhibitory effect of Age is realized by way of regulating the activity of cell cycle controlling enzymes to suspend the proliferation of tumor cells.
