ABSTRACT
Sodium (Na) super ion conductor (NASICON) structure Na3MnTi(PO4)3 (NMTP) is considered a promising cathode for sodium-ion batteries due to its reversible three-electron reaction. However, the inferior electronic conductivity and sluggish reaction kinetics limit its practical applications. Herein, we successfully constructed a three-dimensional cross-linked porous architecture NMTP material (AsN@NMTP/C) by a natural microbe of Aspergillus niger (AsN), and the structure of different NMTP cathodes was optimized by adjusting different transition metal Mn/Ti ratios. Both approaches effectively altered the three-dimensional NMTP structure, not only improving electronic conductivity and controlling Na+ diffusion pathways but also enhancing the electrochemical kinetics of the material. The resultant AsN@NMTP/C-650, sintered at 650 °C, exhibits better electrochemical performance with higher reversible three-electron reactions corresponding to the voltage platforms of Ti4+/3+, Mn3+/2+, and Mn4+/3+ around 2.1, 3.6, and 4.1 V (vs Na+/Na), respectively. The capacity retention rate is up to 89.3% after 1000 cycles at a 2C rate. Moreover, a series of results confirms that the Na3.4Mn1.2Ti0.8(PO4)3 cathode has the most excellent electrochemical performance when the Mn/Ti ratio is 1.2/0.8, with a high capacity of 96.59 mAh g-1 and 97.1% capacity retention after 500 cycles.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Rg3 on inhibiting and inducing apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. METHOD: The bladder cancer cell line EJ was treated with Rg3 of various concentrations. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Morphological changes of cells were observed by fluorescent staining of Hoechst 33258. Cell cycle and apoptosis rate were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of caspase-3 in cells was detected by immunocytochemistry. DNA ladder was showed by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULT: Rg3 inhibited proliferation of EJ cells in a manner of concentration-dependent relationship, IC50 of Rg3 in 48 h treatment was 125.5 mg x L(-1) to EJ cells. When treated with 150 mg x L(-1) of Rg3 for 24 h and 48 h, the cells showed apoptotic morphological characteristics including the condensed chromatin, the nuclear fragmentation, the apoptotic body and bright fluorescent granules as well as a higher caspase-3 expression. FCM assay indicated that Rg3 regulated cell cycle and induced apoptosis of EJ cells. When treated for 24 h and 48 h with 75 mg x L(-1) of Rg3 as well as for 48 h with 150 mg x L(-1) of Rg3, the percentages of cells in S phase and G2/M phase were increased, whereas the percentage of cells in G0-G1 was decreased. The apoptosis rates were increased from (1.05 +/- 0.17)% in control group cells to (8.41 +/- 0.98)%, (18.57 +/- 2.20)% and (33.98 +/- 1.64)%, respectively. Remarkable DNA ladders were revealed. The effects showed a manner in dose and time dependent of Rg3. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 exerts an inhibiting effect on proliferation of EJ cells by inducing apoptosis.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Ginsenosides/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/genetics , Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/metabolism , Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/pathology , Caspase 3/metabolism , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , DNA, Neoplasm/genetics , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Electrophoresis, Agar Gel , Flow Cytometry , Ginsenosides/administration & dosage , Ginsenosides/isolation & purification , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Panax/chemistry , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/genetics , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/metabolism , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Topotecan, a semisynthetic water-soluble derivative of camptothecin, is a potent inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I and cell cycle specific antitumor agent; The incidence rate of hepatocarcinoma ranks the third in all types of malignant tumor in China. The clinical curative effect of the present treatments and drugs for hepatocarcinoma are not so satisfactory. The inducing effect of topotecan on apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 and its cytotoxicity on HepG2 were studied in this paper. METHODS: Microculture tetrazolium assay (MTT), HE staining, transmission electron microscope (TEM), flow cytometer (FCM) and immunohistochemistry were employed to determine and observe the apoptosis of HepG2 induced by topotecan and its lethal action on HepG2. RESULTS: Topotecan killed HepG2 cell by inducing apoptosis. Topotecan had strong anti-HepG2 activity in vitro, suggesting distinct dose- and time-dependent relationship. The drug IC50 was about 95 micrograms/L. Topotecan block HepG2 in S-phase, then further initiate apoptosis program. The morphologic characteristic of apoptosis showed that it is a typical interphase apoptosis process: the nuclei showed chromatin pycnosis, and clustered on the inner border of karyotheca, cytoplasm condensed, many vacuoles occurred in it. The expression of bcl-2 were not affected in the course of HepG2 apoptosis induced by topotecon (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Topotecan had significant cytotoxicity on HepG2 by inducing apoptosis.
