新型抗肝癌化合物CBI-5725对RAF/MEK/ERK通路及癌细胞凋亡的影响

目的评价一种新型的化合物CBI-5725对人类肝癌细胞系PLC/PRF/5的抗癌作用,并通过与治疗肝癌的靶向药物索拉非尼(Sorafenib)对比,揭示CBI-5725的作用机制。方法用AlarmaBlue法检测并比较CBI-5725或索拉非尼对肝癌细胞的抑制作用。采用Western blot法检测CBI-5725或索拉非尼对肝癌细胞中RAF/MEK/ERK通路磷酸化的影响。采用Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色法检测CBI-5725或索拉非尼对细胞凋亡的影响,采用Western blot法检测CBI-5725或索拉非尼对caspase-3和PARP的影响。采用小鼠肿瘤模型检验CBI-5725的体内抗肿瘤活性。结果与索拉非尼相比,CBI-5725更能有效抑制肝癌细胞的增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,激活caspase-3和PARP。此外,CBI-5725与索拉非尼相同程度地抑制RAF/MEK/ERK信号通路的磷酸化。在PLC/PRF/5小鼠肿瘤模型中,在6～18 mg/kg的剂量范围内,CBI-5725几乎完全抑制肿瘤生长。结论 CBI-5725可能作为一种有效的抗肿瘤药物替代索拉非尼用于肝癌患者的治疗,其机制与抑制RAF/MEK/ERK信号通路、启动caspase-3诱导的细胞凋亡有关。     

雷公藤红素通过活性氧诱导结肠癌SW620细胞凋亡

目的:探讨雷公藤红素(celestrol)诱导KRAS驱动的结肠癌SW620细胞产生凋亡的作用和机制。方法:四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法和台盼蓝拒染法检测细胞增殖;免疫印迹法检测蛋白表达;流式细胞仪和荧光显微镜检测细胞凋亡、细胞周期、线粒体膜电位;荧光显微镜检测细胞内活性氧水平(reactive oxygen species,ROS)。结果:雷公藤红素明显抑制SW620细胞的增殖活性;雷公藤红素下调SW620胞内的p-Akt、NF-κB、Survivin表达,激活caspase-7、caspase-3 和PARP;雷公藤红素增加SW620细胞内的ROS、降低线粒体膜电位、阻滞细胞周期于G₂/M期和诱导凋亡。抗氧化剂N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)抑制雷公藤红素引起的上述作用。结论:通过诱导细胞内ROS的累积导致细胞内线粒体膜电位的下降进而触发细胞发生凋亡是雷公藤红素诱导SW620细胞凋亡的作用机制之一。     

雷酚萜甲醚抑制人胃癌细胞AGS增殖及诱导凋亡作用研究

目的研究雷酚萜甲醚(TME)在体外对人胃癌AGS细胞的增殖抑制和诱导凋亡作用。方法采用MTT法观察TME对人胃癌AGS细胞、正常人胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1的增殖抑制作用;克隆形成实验观察细胞克隆的形成;光镜下及AO/EB染色观察细胞形态;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡和细胞周期;JC-1染色和DCFH-DA荧光探针分别检测TME对AGS细胞线粒体膜电位的改变和活性氧产生的影响;Western blot检测凋亡蛋白caspase-3、caspase-8和Bcl-2、Bax表达情况,以及caspase广谱抑制剂z-VAD-fmk对caspase-3、caspase-8蛋白表达的影响。结果 TME可明显抑制人胃癌AGS细胞的增殖,并诱导其凋亡,作用48 h时IC50为23.85μmol·L-1,而对正常人胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1的抑制作用明显低于AGS。TME能够抑制AGS细胞克隆形成,并使细胞出现明显的凋亡形态改变。Annexin V-FITC/PI双染实验表明,随TME剂量的增加,细胞凋亡百分数也增加。JC-1和DCFH-DA结果显示,TME使细胞内线粒体膜电位降低、细胞内活性氧水平增加。Western blot结果显示,TME增加了Bax/Bcl-2的比例,激活caspase-8和caspase-3,并且加入z-VAD-fmk后,caspase-3、caspase-8蛋白的表达降低。TME可使AGS细胞周期阻滞于G0/G1期。结论 TME能抑制人胃癌AGS细胞增殖和诱导凋亡,抗肿瘤作用机制与激活凋亡通路、影响细胞周期及Bcl-2蛋白家族相关。     

Salinomycin对乳腺癌阿霉素耐药细胞株MCF-7/DOX的增殖抑制作用及机制

目的本研究旨在探讨Salinomycin对乳腺癌阿霉素耐药细胞株MCF-7/DOX增殖和凋亡的影响及可能作用机制。方法 MTS实验检测Salinomycin对MCF-7/DOX细胞增殖的影响;Annexin V-FITC/PI染色检测Salinomycin对MCF-7/DOX耐药细胞凋亡的影响;DCFH-DA染色检测Salinomycin对MCF-7/DOX耐药细胞活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)产生的影响;JC-1法测定细胞线粒体膜电位;Western blot法检测细胞凋亡相关蛋白BAX、BCL-2、caspase-3和caspase-9的表达变化。结果 Salinomycin能明显抑制MCF-7/DOX耐药细胞增殖,且具有浓度依赖性;流式分析发现Salinomycin能够诱导MCF-7/DOX细胞凋亡,增加细胞内ROS水平,降低细胞线粒体膜电位;与对照组相比较,Salinomycin处理明显抑制BCL-2的表达,上调BAX、cleaved caspase-3和cleaved caspase-9的蛋白表达;抗氧化剂N-acetylcysteine(NAC)则逆转上述作用。结论 Salinomycin能够诱导MCF-7/DOX细胞凋亡,其机制可能与Salinomycin诱导ROS的产生,激活线粒体凋亡途径有关。     

丹酚酸A诱导HepG2细胞凋亡及抑制c-Met表达

目的通过研究丹酚酸A（salvianol acid A,SalA）对肝癌HepG2细胞株c-Met蛋白表达的影响,探讨SalA抑制肝癌细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡的可能作用机制。方法以肝癌HepG2细胞株为研究对象,采用MTT法及流式细胞术检测SalA作用后细胞存活、增殖及凋亡情况;同时运用Westernblot法及PCR法检测HepG2细胞c-Met及其下游信号通路中关键蛋白和基因表达的改变。结果肝癌HepG2细胞经SalA处理后,其细胞增殖显著抑制,细胞凋亡比例亦升高,且呈浓度依赖性;同时HepG2细胞中c-Met及其下游信号分子AKT的磷酸化水平显著下调,凋亡相关蛋白Bax、caspase-3和caspase-9的表达亦明显上调。结论SalA能有效抑制肝癌HepG2细胞的增殖并诱导细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与其抑制HepG2细胞中c-Met蛋白及其下游信号通路中AKT蛋白的磷酸化水平有关。     

萘酰亚胺-多胺缀合物NNINspm通过PI_3 K/Akt信号通路诱导肝癌细胞凋亡

目的探讨新型萘酰亚胺-多胺缀合物NNINspm对多胺转运体的识别及诱导肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡的机制。方法以MTT法检测细胞毒性;流式细胞仪检测细胞周期、凋亡率及线粒体膜电位的变化;高内涵活细胞成像系统检测NNINspm对多胺转运体识别及Akt易位的影响;Western blot检测NNINspm对cytochrome C、14-3-3、Bad、Bcl-xL、mTOR、p70S6K、Cdk4、p27kip1、Akt、Caspase-3、Caspase-9等蛋白表达的影响。结果NNINspm具有良好的多胺转运体识别能力及肿瘤细胞靶向性,其通过抑制Akt磷酸化从而引起一系列的信号分子发生改变,如14-3-3蛋白与Bad解离并与Bcl-xL结合,随后引起cytochromeC释放及caspase-9及caspase-3活化并最终诱导细胞凋亡;此外,NNINspm诱导mTOR和p70S6K脱磷酸化,Cdk4下调及p27kip1上调并最终诱导细胞周期阻滞于G0/G1期。结论NNINspm通过PI3K/Akt信号途径诱导肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡。     

通关藤诱导白血病细胞U937,HL60细胞凋亡的实验研究

目的探讨通关藤抑制白血病细胞增殖作用及其机制。方法以不同浓度的通关藤提取物制剂处理白血病细胞U937、HL60,1~5 d,以四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法检测对细胞增殖的影响,以Annexin V/PI双染法检测细胞的凋亡程度,Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白caspase3,PARP改变,以JC-1染色法检测线粒体跨膜电位(ΔΨm)水平。结果通关藤提取物制剂呈时间和剂量依赖性抑制U937、HL60细胞增殖,50μL/mL时能明显降低线粒体跨膜电位(ΔΨm),活化caspase 3,剪切PARP,诱导细胞凋亡。结论通关藤提取物制剂对U937、HL60白血病细胞有显著的抑制和诱导凋亡作用,能通过降低线粒体跨膜电位途径触发白血病细胞凋亡。     

乙肝病毒x蛋白结合蛋白抑制阿霉素诱导HepG2细胞凋亡的机制研究

目的探讨乙型肝炎病毒x蛋白结合蛋白(hepatitis Bvirus x-interacting protein,HBXIP)抑制阿霉素(doxorubicinhydrochloride,DOX,adriamycin,ADM)诱导HepG2肝癌细胞凋亡的作用及可能的分子机制,为研究肝细胞癌的临床耐药性奠定基础。方法以建立的稳定高表达HBXIP基因的HepG2细胞系为研究对象,分别用不同浓度的DOX处理高表达HBXIP组及对照组细胞,MTT法检测细胞的生存率,DAPI染色及Annexin V-FITC/PI染色检测细胞凋亡,免疫印迹法检测蛋白表达水平。结果 MTT结果表明,DOX能够抑制HepG2细胞的存活,但HBXIP对DOX诱导的HepG2细胞凋亡作用具有明显的拮抗效应,并抑制DOX诱导的caspase-3、caspase-9及其底物PARP的活化,同时促进Bcl-2蛋白的表达。结论 HBXIP蛋白能够抑制化疗药物DOX诱导的HepG2细胞凋亡,其机制可能与调节胱天蛋白酶家族关键因子的活性相关。     

大黄素诱导HK-2细胞凋亡的机制探讨

 目的：探讨大黄中游离蒽醌大黄素诱导人近曲小管上皮细胞（HK-2）的细胞凋亡作用机制。方法：体外 培养HK-2细胞,利用MTT法评价大黄素对HK-2细胞的增殖抑制作用,利用TUNEL染色检测大黄素对HK-2细胞凋亡的影响, 流式细胞技术检测大黄素对HK-2细胞线粒体膜电位的影响,凋亡相关蛋白检测采用Western Blot分析;结果：大黄素作 用HK-2细胞48 h后,明显抑制细胞的增殖,IC50值为130.65 μmol•L-1。大黄素浓度为80 μmol•L-1时促使细胞凋亡, 线粒体膜电位降低,Western Blot分析凋亡相关蛋白显示,大黄素作用HK-2细胞后,抑制细胞外信号调节激酶1/2 （extracelluar signal regulated kinase 1/2,ERK1/2）的磷酸化,并且呈现明显的剂量和时间效应关系,细胞内 Bcl-2表达降低,Bax没有明显的变化,致使促凋亡基因蛋白占优势,细胞向促调亡的方向发展,细胞色素c释放增加, 从而使Caspase-8活化,激活下游Caspase-3,引起细胞的凋亡;大黄素对HK-2细胞的损伤效应可能是通过MAPK/ERK信号 转导通路抑制ERK磷酸化,而导致了细胞凋亡。结论：大黄素能够引起HK-2细胞的凋亡,其机制可能涉及MAPK/ERK信号 转导通路抑制途径。     

大蒜素对人肝癌细胞HepG2的抑制和诱导细胞凋亡作用

目的 观察大蒜素对人肝癌细胞HepG2的抑制和诱导细胞凋亡作用.方法 用不同浓度大蒜素处理对数生长期的人肝癌细胞HepG2.比色还原法检查4、8、16 h时HepG2细胞生长的抑制率;Hoechest荧光染色观察8 h时细胞形态的变化;JC-1检测40 mg/L大蒜素作用4 h后细胞线粒体跨膜电位的变化;免疫组化法检测经浓度为40 mg/L大蒜素作用4 h后其对细胞色素C的影响.结果 与无药阴性对照组比较,大蒜素能明显抑制HepG2细胞的增殖,且抑制率随浓度增加和作用时间延长而升高(P<0.01).Hoechst 33258荧光染色观察到细胞凋亡形态学特征.结论 大蒜素对人肝癌细胞株HepG2有明显的生长抑制作用,诱导人肝癌细胞株HepG2的凋亡.这可能与其通过线粒体途径引起线粒体跨膜电位下降与细胞色素C的释放有关.     

Modulation of P-glycoprotein activity by the substituted quinoxalinone compound QA3 in adriamycin-resistant K562/A02 cells

QA3 is a derivative of the substituted 1,3-dimethyl-1H-quinoxalin-2-ones, which are compounds that may selectively antagonize P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in multidrug resistance (MDR) cancer cells. Our previous work identified QA3 as a candidate compound for reversing MDR in cancer cells. In the present study, we found that QA3 significantly decreases the intracellular level of ATP, stimulates ATPase activity in membrane microsomes and decreases protein kinase C (PKC) activity. These results indicated that QA3 inhibits P-gp activity by blocking ATP hydrolysis and ATP regeneration. Furthermore, QA3 triggered and increased adriamycin-induced K562/A02 cell apoptosis as evidenced by Annexin V-FITC plus PI staining. Western blot analysis showed that the levels of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins increased, and similarly, the levels of procaspase-9 and procaspase-3 decreased after QA3 treatment. Consequently, poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) activity increased as evidenced by the presence of the PARP cleavage product in K562/A02 cells. QA3 also enhanced the potency of adriamycin against K562/A02 cells as demonstrated by increased apoptosis and activation of caspase-9,-3 and PARP. These data support the observation that P-gp activity is inhibited after QA3 treatment. Moreover, these results indicate that QA3 is a novel MDR reversal agent with potent inhibitory action against P-gp MDR cancer cells.     

2-甲基-正丁酰紫草素诱导人胃癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡机制的研究

2-甲基-正丁酰紫草素[(2-methyl-n-butyl)shikonin,MBS,图1]是从紫草科植物紫草的根部提取得到的一个萘醌类化合物。研究表明,紫草素具有抗炎、抗菌、抗肿瘤的作用[1?3]。体外实验证实紫草素通过增加caspase-3的活化诱导多种肿瘤细胞的凋亡,如白     

醉茄素A通过JAK/STAT通路对人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/ADM凋亡的影响

目的研究醉茄素A通过Janus激酶(JAK)/信号转导与转录激活子(STAT)通路对人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/阿霉素(ADM)凋亡的影响,并探讨JAK/STAT通路在其中可能的作用机制。方法体外培养HepG2/ADM细胞,分为对照组、醉茄素A 2.5、5.0、10.0μmol/L组。CCK-8法检测细胞增殖情况;Hoechst33342染色法观察细胞形态学变化;Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色法检测细胞凋亡情况;Western blotting法检测凋亡相关蛋白B淋巴细胞瘤-2(Bcl-2)、cleaved caspase-3以及JAK/STAT通路中磷酸化JAK2(p-JAK2)、STAT3(p-STAT3)蛋白表达情况。结果醉茄素A 2.5、5.0、10.0μmol/L组HepG2/ADM细胞增殖受到明显抑制,并呈时间和剂量相关性(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,醉茄素A 2.5、5.0、10.0μmol/L组HepG2/ADM细胞部分细胞核发生碎片化、固缩,荧光强度增大,细胞凋亡指数及凋亡率显著升高(P<0.05),cleavedcaspase-3蛋白表达水平显著升高(P<0.05),Bcl-2、p-JAK2、p-STAT3蛋白表达水平显著降低(P<0.05)。结论醉茄素A可促进人肝癌耐药细胞Hep G2/ADM凋亡,其机制可能与抑制JAK/STAT通路活化,下调抑凋亡蛋白表达及上调促凋亡蛋白表达有关。     

青藤碱通过调控NF-kB信号通路抑制胰腺癌Capan-1细胞增殖并诱导细胞凋亡

目的 探讨青藤碱(Sinomenine, SIN)对胰腺癌Capan-1细胞增殖及凋亡的影响。方法 CCK8法检测细胞活力,光学显微镜下观察细胞凋亡形态,DAPI/TUNEL双染检测细胞凋亡,流式细胞术Annexin V-FITC/PI法检测细胞凋亡率,Western blot检测裂解型Caspase-3蛋白(cleaved caspase-3)、细胞核内NF-κB(Nuclear factor-kappa-binding)蛋白表达。结果 CCK8结果表明青藤碱抑制胰腺癌Capan-1细胞增殖,并具有时间浓度依赖性;光学显微镜观察结果表明,在青藤碱作用下,Capan-1细胞皱缩、变圆、脱落增多;DAPI/TUNEL染色结果表明,在青藤碱作用下,Capan-1细胞凋亡增多;流式细胞术Annexin V-FITC/PI结果表明,在青藤碱作用下,Capan-1细胞凋亡率增高;Western blot结果表明,在青藤碱作用下,Capan-1细胞cleaved caspase-3、核内NF-κB表达降低,NF-κB信号通路激活剂TNF-α逆转青藤碱对Capan-1细胞增殖的抑制作用、凋亡率的升高作用和cleaved caspase-3表达的下调作用。结论 青藤碱通过调控NF-κB信号通路抑制胰腺癌Capan-1细胞增殖并诱导细胞凋亡。     

Glycoborinine induces apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway in HepG2 cells

Glycoborinine (GB), a natural carbazole alkaloid isolated from Glycosmis pentaphylla, has been shown to be a potential molecule against cancer cells. In this study, the cell-signaling pathway of its anti-tumor activity was investigated. MTT assay result showed that GB inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and 50% inhibiting concentration (IC₅₀) of GB-induced cell death was 39.7 μM for a period of 48 h. GB-induced HepG2 apoptosis was confirmed by Hochest 33258 staining and PI staining. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured with H₂DCF-DA staining and the change of mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψ^m) was analyzed with tetrechloro-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) probe. Results showed that GB at 12.5, 25, and 50 μM promoted ROS production. GB induced HepG2 apoptosis through a mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, which was demonstrated by GB-induced increase in the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, cytochrome C release, the ratio of cleaved caspase-3/procaspase-3, and the ratio of cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (cleaved PARP)/poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). To summarize, this study demonstrated that GB could induce HepG2 apoptosis through the mitochondrial-dependent pathway, which might provide a promising approach to cure liver cancer with GB.     

Zeylenone抑制人前列腺癌PC-3细胞增殖及诱导凋亡作用研究

目的研究(4R,5S,6S)-4-苯甲酰氧基-6-[(苯甲酰氧基)甲基]-5,6-二羟基-2-环己烯-1-酮Zeylenone(Zey)对人前列腺癌PC-3细胞的生长抑制和诱导凋亡作用。方法采用MTT法观察Zey对PC-3细胞和正常前列腺基质细胞WPMY-1的增殖抑制作用,应用平板克隆形成实验观察Zey对PC-3细胞克隆形成的作用,AO/EB荧光染色观察细胞形态、JC-1染色观察Zey对细胞内线粒体膜电位的影响,An-nexin V-FITC/PI双染检测凋亡细胞比率,Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-9、Caspase-8、Caspase-3、Caspase-7和PARP的激活及Bcl-2、Bax、Bid、Bcl-xL蛋白的表达。结果Zey可以明显抑制人前列腺癌PC-3细胞的增殖并诱导其凋亡,而对正常前列腺基质细胞WPMY-1的抑制作用显著低于PC-3细胞。Zey抑制PC-3细胞克隆形成并明显诱导其凋亡。线粒体膜电位检测结果显示Zey导致细胞内线粒体膜电位的明显降低,Western blot检测结果表明Caspase-8、Caspase-9、Caspase-7、Caspase-3被激活,PARP和Bid被剪切活化,Bcl-2、Bcl-xL表达下降,而Bax表达上调。结论 Zey可选择性抑制人非激素依赖性前列腺癌PC-3细胞的增殖并诱导其凋亡,作用机制与其对Bcl-2和Caspase家族蛋白的影响,从而诱导PC-3细胞发生内源性和外源性凋亡相关。Zey有望成为治疗前列腺癌的候选药物。     

志苓胶囊通过激活caspase-3抑制K562细胞增殖和诱导细胞凋亡

目的研究志苓胶囊(ZLJN,抗癌复方Ⅱ号)对人慢性髓系白血病K562细胞株增殖及凋亡的影响。方法将志苓胶囊按其不同中西药成分比例配制成中药、西药和复方组,与K562细胞共培养后,采用MTT法、集落形成实验分别检测细胞存活率和集落形成率;Annexin V-FITC/PI标记法、DNA倍体分析及DNA片段化分析检测细胞凋亡;流式细胞仪检测caspase-3活性;Western blot法检测caspase-3酶原(pro-caspase-3)表达。结果不同药物组与K562细胞共培养后,细胞生长受抑制,集落形成率降低。Annexin V-FITC/PI法检测到早期凋亡细胞;DNA倍体分析可见亚二倍体峰(凋亡峰);琼脂糖电泳见典型的DNA梯状带。流式细胞检测caspase-3活性增强,Western blot检测pro-caspase-3表达减弱。结论志苓胶囊可有效抑制K562细胞增殖,诱导其凋亡,其作用机制可能与caspase-3活性增强有关。     

达沙替尼体外抗鼻咽癌细胞增殖与转移的作用

目的SRC作为酪氨酸蛋白激酶在多种实体肿瘤中存在高表达,通过激活RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK、P13K/AKT通路促进肿瘤细胞的生长与增殖,并通过激活FAK促进肿瘤细胞的转移。此外,SRC还参与了EGFR抑制剂耐药的发生。本研究旨在研究SRC的抑制剂达沙替尼在体外对鼻咽癌细胞的抑制作用。方法采用M1Tr方法绘制细胞生长曲线,并计算达沙替尼对鼻咽癌细胞的半数抑制浓度（IC50值）;PI/AnnexinV双染法检测达沙替尼诱导鼻咽癌细胞凋亡的作用;WesternBlot检测达沙替尼引起鼻咽癌细胞中信号通路的改变;Transwell实验检测达沙替尼对鼻咽癌细胞迁移的影响。结果达沙替尼能明显在体外抑制鼻咽癌细胞的增殖,诱导鼻咽癌细胞的凋亡,并且呈浓度依赖性;应用达沙替尼处理CNE2后发现,能明显抑制RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK、P13K/AKT通路活性表现为phospho-AKT、Phospho．MEK、Phospho-ERK的表达水平明显减低;达沙替尼还能明显抑制CNE2的迁移能力和Phospho-FAK的表达水平。结论SRC的抑制剂达沙替尼能在体外明显抑制鼻咽癌细胞中RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK、P13K/AKT通路的活性和FAK蛋白的表达,进一步抑制鼻咽癌细胞的增殖与转移,促进细胞凋亡。     

DGMI alleviates OGD/R-induced cell injury by regulating inflammatory and apoptosis signaling pathways

Diterpene ginkgolides meglumine injection (DGMI), a kind of Ginkgo biloba special extract injection, is now used for the treatment of ischemic stroke in convalescence. In the present study, we aimed to confirm whether DGMI could suppress inflammatoryresponses and apoptosis and explore the potential mechanisms underlying these effects. Cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were measured by MTS and LDH assays after the cells were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). The extent of anti-apoptotic effect of DGMI was detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay kit. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10, were quantified by a specific Bio-Plex Pro^TM Reagent Kit. Additionally, activities of TLR2/4, NF-κB p65, MAPK pathway and apoptosis-related proteins as well as cellular localization of NF-κB p65 were determined by Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. DGMI at 50 μg/mL significantly increased the cell viability and decreased the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in OGD/R-induced BV2 microglia cells. These effects were also confirmed by LDH assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Meanwhile, DGMI not only inhibited the protein expressions of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, p-TAK1, p-IkBα, p-IKKβ and Bak, but also decreased the cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3, Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved PARP-1/PARP-1 ratio in OGD/R-induced BV2 microglia cells. Furthermore, OGD/R-enhanced p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 MAPK expressions and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 were also partially inhibited by DGMI. The present study showed that inflammatoryresponses were triggered in BV2 microglia cells activated by OGD/R, leading tothe release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis. DGMI suppressed the inflammatory response and apoptosis by regulating the TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways and down-regulation of p-JNK1/2 and p-p38 MAPK activation.     

Hydroxysafflor yellow A induces apoptosis in activated hepatic stellate cells through ERK1/2 pathway in vitro

A key feature in the molecular pathogenesis of liver fibrosis requires maintenance of the activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) phenotype by inhibition of apoptosis. The induction of apoptosis in activated HSCs has been proposed as an antifibrotic treatment strategy. This study aims at evaluating the effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on apoptosis of culture-activated HSCs and further elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Primary HSCs were isolated from rats. The analysis of the cell cycle be performed by flow cytometry, detection of apoptosis by Annexin V-FITC/ PI staining, and the results were confirmed by DNA fragmentation, and cleavage of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of genes. Our results revealed that HSYA significantly induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. HSYA suppresses the activation of ERK1/2 and ERK1/2-regulated gene expression, including Bcl-2, Cytochrome c, caspase-9, and caspase-3, leading to the enhancement of apoptosis. Pharmacological blockade of ERK1/2 kinase abrogation this action of HSYA. Our data provide a molecular basis for the anti-hepatic fibrosis activity of HSYA.