Baicalein suppresses the proliferation of human cervical cancer cells via Notch 1/Hes signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Baicalein is an active compound extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis georgi, which is widely and traditionally used in the anticancer therapy. Notch signaling pathway is usually abnormally activated in kinds of human cancers. The aim of the present study is to investigate the antitumor effects of baicalein in human cervical cancer and explore whether baicalein treatment affects notch signaling pathway in human cervical cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cervical cancer cells were treated with increasing concentrations of baicalein for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine cell viability of cervical cancer cells. The apoptosis rate was determined by FACS assay. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism was investigated. The expression levels of Notch 1, Notch 2, Notch 3, hairy enhancer of split-1 (Hes-1), and Hes-5 were determined by western blotting analysis. RESULTS: MTT assay results revealed that baicalein inhibited cell proliferation of HeLa cells and SiHa cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The data from FACS assay demonstrated that baicalein-induced cell apoptosis of cervical cancer cells at the final concentration of 100 µM for 24 h. Furthermore, baicalein treatment downregulated Notch 1/Hes-1, Hes-5 signaling pathway, and there was no obvious change on the expression of Notch 2 and Notch 3. CONCLUSION: Baicalein inhibited the proliferation of human cervical cancer cells via Notch 1/Hes signaling Pathway. The study would provide some new clues in the clinical therapy of human cervical cancers.

Screening of lentiviral vectors carrying effective siRNA targeting S1P2 gene / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To screen the lentiviral vector carrying siRNA with higher efficiency of suppressing the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1P2) gene expression in the primarily cultured corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).METHODS: SHR and SD rats (n=5 each) were used for primarily culturing corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells.The cells were randomly divided into 6 groups: SHR siRNA-1, SHR siRNA-2, SHR siRNA-3, SHR GFP, SHR control (SHR non-transfection group), and SD control (SD rat control group).Each group had 5 samples with 1.0×105 cells of each sample.At 72 h after transfection (MOI=60) with lentiviral vectors carrying S1P2 siRNA into the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, the expression of GFP was observed under fluorescence microscope.The protein expression of S1P2, ROCK1, ROCK2 and eNOS in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, and the mRNA expression of S1P2, ROCK1 and ROCK2 were determined by by Western blot and RT-PCR.RESULTS: The transfection efficiency of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in SHR siRNA-1, SHR siRNA-2, SHR siRNA-3 and SHR GFP groups were>80%.Compared with SHR control group, the mRNA levels and the protein expression of S1P2, ROCK1 and ROCK2 in SHR GFP group showed no remarkable changes, while those in SHR siRNA-1, SHR siRNA-2, SHR siRNA-3 and SD control groups were significantly lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.05).The protein expression of eNOS in SHR siRNA-1, SHR siRNA-2, SHR siRNA-3 and SHR GFP groups were not significantly changed as compared with SHR control group, but that in SD control group was significantly higher than that in SHR control group.CONCLUSION: Three groups of siRNA lentiviral vectors targeting S1P2 inhibit the expression of S1P2 in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of SHR, and by silencing the S1P2 expression, the expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 is inhibited.Among them, siRNA-1 has the highest inhibitory efficiency.

Role of Baicalein combined with U0126 resisting human bladder carcinoma cell in vitro and mechanism research / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the role of Baicalein combined with U0126 resisting human bladder cancer T-24 cells in vitro and mechanism.Methods: T-24 cells were dealt with Baicalein combined with U0126,flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and cell apoptosis,microscope to count cell number,TUNEL method to detects cell apoptosis index,and Real time quantitative PCR and Western blot to measure extracellular signal regulating kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), CyclinD1, GSK-3β and AKT RNA level, protein level of T-24 cells respectively.Effect of Baicalein and U0126 on apoptosis and proliferation of bladder cancer cell was analyzed.Results: Cell apoptosis rate was significantly increased after T-24 cells dealt with various concentrations of Baicalein.Cell proportion of G0/G1 phase was significantly increased,while cell percentage of S phase was obviously decreased and cell count was decreased,after T-24 cells were dealt with Baicalein for 24 h.After T-24 cells were dealt with Baicalein combined with U0126 for 24 h,cell proportion of S phase was evidently decreased.T-24 cells were dealt with Baicalein or U0126 obviously promoted cell apoptosis,which was more obvious with Baicalein combined with U0126.Phosphorylation level of GSK-3β,ERK1/2,and AKT was significantly reduced and expression of ERK1/2 and CyclinD1 mRNA was evidently lower after Baicalein or U0126 or Baicalein combined with U0126,and combined application had more remarkable effect.Conclusion: Baicalein and U0126 can induce apoptosis of T-24 cells,increase cell proportion in G0/G1 phase,reduce cell proportion of S phase,and Baicalein combined with U0126 effect has more remarkable effect.

Anti-cancer by baicalein combined with U0126 on human breast cancer in vitro / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of anti-cancer by bacailein combined with U0126 on human breast cancer in vitro. Methods: The human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was treated by baicalein,U0126 and baicalein combined with U0126 respectively. CCK8 assay measured cell proliferation of MCF-7;flow cytometry tested the cell cycle and apoptosis of MCF-7;microscopy observed the amount;TUNEL assay evaluated the apoptosis of MCF-7;Western blot detected the protein level of proliferation and apoptosis related protein;scratch assay measured the ability of migration. Results: Human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was treated by baicalein or U0126 at different concentration for 24 h, CCK8 assay suggested that both of them can dramatically inhibit MCF-7 proliferation in a dose-dependent way (P<0. 05). Compared to the blank and DMSO groups,the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was treated with baicalein for 24 h,the cellular rate at G0-G1 phase increased a lot (91%) (P<0. 05),while the cellular rate at S phase reduced dramatically (P<0. 05),cell apoptosis increased dramatically by microscopy and TUNEL assay(P<0. 05),the level of ERK1/2,CyclinD1 and JNK reduced quickly (P<0. 05). Compared to the baicalein group,MCF-7 was treated by baicalein combined with U0126,the cellular rate at S phase decreased remarkably (P<0. 05),apoptosis was much obvious (P<0. 05),the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 and JNK reduced a lot (P<0. 05),and the proliferation accelerator CyclinD1 highly decreased (P<0. 05);the scratch assay demonstrated that cell migration was dramatically inhibited when MCF-7 was treated by 20 μmol/L baicalein ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion:Both of baicalein and U0126 can inhibit the proliferation and migration,induce the apoptosis of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 through decreasing the level of ERK, JNK and CyclinD1. Baicalein and U0126 can provide some novel avenues to treat breast cancer in clinic.

The protective effect of Nrf2/ARE pathway on islet B cell in type 2 diabetic rats / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of Nrf2/ARE pathway activator upregulating the expression of phase Ⅱ detoxifcation enzymes and antioxidant enzymes in islet B cell on its morphological structure in type 2 diabetic rats.Methods Type 2 diabetic rats were divided into diabetes model group (DM group),and tertiary-Butylhydroquinone intervention group(tBHQ group).At the same time,the normal control group (NC group)was set up.All rats were killed after eight-week continuous intervention.Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin (FINS) level were determined.Morphological structure of islet cells and apoptosis were observed.ELISA was used to determine MDA,TNF-α and T-SOD levels in serum and pancreatic tissues and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of total Nrf2 and nulear Nrf2 in pancreatic tissues.Results Compared with NC group,FBG and FINS levels significantly increased and decreased in DM group respectively (all P=0.000).Compared with DM group,FBG and FINS levels significantly decreased and increased in tBHQ group respectively (all P=0.000).Compared with NC group,the number of islet cells significantly decreased and swelling,necrosis and apoptosis occurred in DM group.Islet cells in tBHQ group were significantly better than those in DM group.Compared with NC group,MDA and TNF-α levels in serum and pancreatic tissue significantly increased and TSOD levels significantly decreased in DM group (all P=0.000).Compared with DM group,MDA and TNF-α levels in serum and pancreatic tissue significantly decreased and T-SOD levels significantly increased in DM group(all P=0.000).Total Nrf2 and nulear Nrf2 in protein expression in DM group were significantly lower of than those in NC group (P()=0.000,P nulear Nrf2=0.006).Rats in tBHQ group had significantly higher protein expression of total Nrf2 and nulear Nrf2 than in DM group (all P=0.000).Conclusions Activating Nrf2/ARE pathway can reduce injury of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation on islet B cells further through upregulating the expression of phase Ⅱ detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant enzymes in islet B cells.

Effect of C-erbB-2 shRNA on chemosensitivity of mouse lung adenocarcinoma cells and its mechanism / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate the effect of C-erbB-2 shRNA on chemosensitivity of mouse lung adenocarcinoma cells and its mechanism,and to find new therapy method for non-small cell lung cancer,especial lung adenocarcinoma.Methods The mouse lung adenocarcinoma Lewis cells were cultured regularly and divided into non-transfected group, pGPU6/RFP/Neo-shNC group and pGPU6/RFP/Neo-erbB-2 group. The plasmids were synthesized and transfected into Lewis cells in each group by Lipofectamine 2000.The expression levels of C-erbB-2 mRNA and protein in the cells in various groups were tested by RT-PCR and Western blotting method, respectively. The Lewis cells were divided into non- transfected group, pGPU6/RFP/Neo-shNC group, carboplatin group, pGPU6/RFP/Neo-erbB-2 group, pGPU6/RFP/Neo-shNC+carboplatin group and pGPU6/RFP/Neo-erbB-2+ carboplatin group. The apoptotic rates of the cells in each group were detected by flow cytometry;the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in each group were determined by Western blotting method.Results The expression levels of C-erbB-2 mRNA and protein in pGPU6/RFP/Neo-erbB-2 group were lower than those in non-transfected group and pGPU6/RFP/Neo-shNC.The apoptotic rate of the cells in pGPU6/RFP/Neo-erbB-2+carboplatin group was the highest in all of the groups (P<0.01);compared with the others, the expression of Bax protein in pGPU6/RFP/Neo-erbB-2+carboplatin group was increased, while the expression level of Bcl-2 protein was decreased.Conclusion C-erbB-2 shRNA can increase the Lewis cells’sensitivity to carboplatin.The mechanism may be that it can enhance the Lewis cells’apoptosis induced by carboplatin through increasing the expression of Bax protein and decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 protein.