Oleanolic acid isolated from ethanolic extract of Phytolacca decandra induces apoptosis in A375 skin melanoma cells: drug-DNA interaction and signaling cascade

OBJECTIVE： Oleanolic acid （OA） has been reported to have anticancer effects, but the extent of its cytotoxicity, its ability to interact with nuclear DNA, its action against skin melanoma, as well as the molecular mechanism of its action against cell proliferation and in support of cell death are still unexplored. This led us to examine the efficacy of OA, a bioactive compound isolated from Phytolacca decandra, on these issues in the present investigation. METHODS： Studies related to analyses of cell viability, drug-DNA interaction, cell proliferation, cell cycle and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） activity were performed. To investigate whether cells undergo apoptosis, studies like fluorescence microscopy, poly （ADP-ribose） polymerase （PARP） degradation, annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assay, alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential and activity of some relevant signaling proteins were performed. RESULTS： OA displayed a minimal and negligible cytotoxic effect on normal HaCaT cells （skin keratinocytes） and peripheral blood mononuclear cells but by contrast it reduced A375 cell viability significantly. OA interacted with nuclear DNA quickly after exposure. It acted as an anti- proliferative agent. It suppressed EGFR activity. OA administration led the cells to mitochondria- dependent caspase 3-mediated apoptosis. CONCLUSION： OA interacts with cellular DNA, inhibits proliferation possibly through modulating EGFR activity and induces mitochondria-dependent caspase 3-mediated apoptosis in A375 cells which would qualify it as a potent anticancer agent.     

Homeopathic Thuja 30C ameliorates benzo（a）pyrene- induced DNA damage,stress and viability of perfused lung cells of mice in vitro

OBJECTIVE： To examine if the ultra-highly diluted homeopathic remedy Thuja 30C can ameliorate benzo（a）pyrene （BaP）-induced DNA damage, stress and viability of perfused lung cells of Swiss albino mice in vitro. METHODS： Perfused normal lung cells from mice were cultured in 5% Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium and exposed to BaP, a potent carcinogen, at the half maximal inhibitory concentration dose （2.2 μmol/L） for 24 h. Thereafter, the intoxicated cells were either treated with Thuja 30C （used against tumor or cancer） or its vehicle media, succussed alcohol 30C. Relevant parameters of study involving reactive oxygen species （ROS） accumulation, total glutathione （GSH） content, and generations of heat shock protein （hsp）-90 were measured; the cell viability and other test parameters were measured after treatment with either Thuja 30C or its vehicle media. Circular dichroism spectroscopy was performed to examine if Thuja 30C directly interacted with calf thymus DNA as target. For ascertaining if DNA damaged by BaP could be partially repaired and restituted by the remedy, 4＇,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining was performed. RESULTS： Thuja 30C increased cell viability of BaP-intoxicated cells significantly, as compared to drug-untreated or drug-vehicle control. A minimal dose of Thuja 30C significantly inhibited BaP-induced stress level, by down-regulating ROS and hsp-90, and increasing GSH content. Thuja 30C itself had no DNA-damaging effect, and no direct drug-DNA interaction. However, it showed quite striking ability to repair DNA damage caused by BaP. CONCLUSION： Thuja 30C ameliorates BaP-induced toxicity, stress and DNA damage in perfused lung cells of mice and it apparently has no effect on normal lung cells.     

Cytotoxicity of acrylamide and its epoxide glycidamide in CHO cells expressing human cytochrome P450 2E1

Objective： To investigate whether CYP2E1 is responsible for the acrylamide metabolic activation in FIp-In CHO cell system. Methods： CYP2E1 cDNA was subcloned from the human liver full-length cDNA library and subsequently transfected into the FIp-In CHO cells to generate the stable transfectant of CYP2E1. The CYP2E1 mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. Acrylamide and its epoxide glycidamide induced cytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest in G2/M were conducted using MTS assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Results： In the CHO cell stably expressing CYP2E1 （CHO-2E1）, a -1.5 kb size of band was detected from the mRNA in the cells while no corresponding band in the CHO-vector cells, which indicated that CYP2E1 was successfully transfected in the CHO cells. Compared with the CHO-vector cells, acrylamide showed a concentration dependent loss of viability in the CHO-2E1 cells but no significant change of G2/M arrest was found. As expected, glycidamide induced similar profile of cytotoxicity in both of the cells, and G2/M arrest presented a concentration-dependent increased in the CHO-2E1 cells. Conclusion： The result suggested that CYP2E1 might be responsible for the acrylamide metabolism, and its metabolite glycidamide was a direct cytotoxic and genotoxic agent. It should be further considered whether acrylamide-induced toxicity is through its epoxide glycidamide in the presence of CYP2E1.     

MiR-503 regulates cisplatin resistance of human gastric cancer cell lines by targeting IGF1R and BCL2

Background Studies have shown that the drug resistance of gastric cancer cells can be modulated by abnormal expression of microRNAs （miRNAs）.We investigated the role of miR-503 in the development of cisplatin resistance in human gastric cancer cell lines.Methods MiR-503 expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR.MTT （3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide） and clonogenic assays were used to examine changes in cell viability and the drug resistance phenotype of cancer cells associated with upregulation or downregulation of the miRNA.A dual-luciferase activity assay was used to verify target genes of miR-503.Immunohistochemistry,Western blotting analysis,and a flow cytometric apoptosis assay were used to elucidate the mechanism by which miR-503 modulates drug resistance in cancer cells.Results MiR-503 was significantly downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and several gastric cancer cell lines.Additionally,downregulation of miR-503 in the cisplatin （DDP）-resistant gastric cancer cell line SGC7901/DDP was concurrent with the upregulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor （IGF1R） and B-cell lymphoma 2 （BCL2） expression compared with the parental SGC7901 cell line.An in vitro drug sensitivity assay showed that overexpression of miR-503 sensitized SGC7901/DDP cells to cisplatin.The luciferase activity of reporters driven by IGF1R and BCL2 3＇-untranslated regions in SGC7901/DDP cells suggested that IGF1R and BCL2 were both direct target genes of miR-503.Enforced miR-503 expression in SGC7901/DDP cells reduced expression of the target proteins,inhibited proliferation,and sensitized the cells to DDP-induced apoptosis.Conclusion Our findings suggest that hsa-miR-503 modulates cisplatin resistance of human gastric cancer cells at least in part by targeting IGF1R and BCL2.     

Genistein sensitizes ovarian carcinoma cells to chemotherapy by switching the cell cycle progression in vitro

Objective： To address how genistein sensitizes the chemotherapy-resistant ovarian carcinoma cells and promotes apoptosis in the respect of cell cycle and the regulation of survivin expression in the process. Methods： Ovarian SKOV-3 carcinoma cell line was treated with genistein or cisplatin either alone or in combination. Cell viability was showed by MTT method. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Survivin mRNA and protein were revealed by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Results： Genistein could reduce the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, while cisplatin did so at a much higher level. In contrast, if the two agents were treated in combination, half growth inhibition （IC50） value for cisplatin was reduced remarkably and the effect was synergistic as analyzed by isobologram. In particular, the reduced cell viability was exhibited by a switch in cell cycle progression, as the cells were arrested in G2/M phase and the G0/G1 phase- fraction was significantly decreased. The reduced cell viability appeared to involve apoptosis, based on our results from flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining. In the meanwhile, genistein performed the inhibitory effect on cisplatin-induced survivin expression. Conclusion： Genistein can sensitize ovarian carcinoma cells to cisplatin therapy with the inhibition of survivin expression as the potential mechanism.     

Increased procoagulant activity of red blood cells in the presence of cisplatin

Background Cisplatin based chemotherapy is a well recognized risk factor for coagulation disorders and thrombosis. The pathophysiological mechanisms by which cisplatin promote thrombosis are not well understood. Methods Red blood cells （RBCs） were separated from peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer （n=10） and healthy adults （n=6） and treated with cisplatin. Coagulation time of RBCs was assessed by one step recalcification time and the productions of thrombin, intrinsic and extrinsic factor Xa were measured in the presence or absence of various concentrations of lactadherin. Exposed phosphatidylserine was stained with lactadherin and observed by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Results Neither fresh RBCs nor RBCs treated without cisplatin had potent procoagulant activity. Cisplatin treatment increased procoagulant activity of RBCs in a cell number- and concentration-dependent manner. Exposed phosphatidylserine was stained with lactadherin and after cisplatin treatment, strong fluorescence was revealed by confocal microscopy. Lactadherin bound RBCs from patients with breast cancer increased from （1.9＋0.5）% on control RBCs to （68.0±3.5）% on RBCs treated with 10umol/L cisplatin for 24 hours. Conclusions Cisplatin treatment increases procoagulant activity of RBCs, which have a strong association with exposure of phosphatidylserine. The increased procoagulant activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of thrombophilia during cisplatin based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.     

In vitro and in vivo evidence of metallopanstimulin-1 in gastric cancer progression and tumorigenicity

Purpose:The metallopanstimulin-1(MPS-1)gene is a growth factor-inducible gene,which is highly expressed in many human cancers and may be involved in the progression towards tumor malignancy.However,it is unclear whether MPS-1 plays any role in gastric cancer development or progression.Our studies were designed to clarify the MPS-1 expression pattern and to explore its potential role in gastric cancer.Experimental Design:The expression pattern of MPS-1 was determined in primary gastric cancer specimens and gastric cancer cell lines via immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.To investigate the functional significance of MPS-1 expression,three small interfering RNA(siRNA)expression plasmids were constructed and transfected into gastric cancer cell line SGC7901.The stable cell lines transfected with the siRNA targeting MPS-1 mRNA plasmids were selected and the biological features of these cells were examined.Results:MPS-1 was overexpressed in 86% of the gastric cancer tissues and all gastric cancer cells.In addition,MPS-1 expression was significantly increased and corresponded with the tumor-node-metastasis clinical stage,and was significantly higher in the late stage(P<0.01).The MPS-1 expression level was significantly decreased in the transfected cells with MPS-1-specific siRNA expression plasmid pRNAT-133.Furthermore,the stable transfected cancer cells exhibited an increase in the incidence of spontaneous apoptosis and a decrease in growth ability and tumorigenicity in nude mice.Conclusions:These results provide strong evidence that MPS-1 plays an important role in gastric cancer cell proliferation and development,and suggests that MPS-1 is a promising target for gastric cancer treatment.     

Effect of Astragalus membranaceus injection on the activity of the intestinal mucosal mast cells after hemorrhagic shock-reperfusion in rats

Background The mechanism of mucosal damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion （IR） after hemorrhagic shock is complex; mast cells （MC） degranulation is associated with the mucosal damage. Astragalus membranaceus can protect intestinal mucosa against intestinal oxidative damage after hemorrhagic shock, and some antioxidant agents could prevent MC against degranulation. This study aimed to observe the effects of astragalus membranaceus injection on the activity of intestinal mucosal mast cells （IMMC） after hemorrhage shock-reperfusion in rats Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, low dosage group, （treated with Astragalus membranacaus injection, 10 g crude medication/kg） and high dosage group （treated with Astragalus membranacaus injection, 20 g crude medication/kg）. The rat model of hemorrhagic shock-reperfusion was induced by hemorrhage for 60 minutes followed by 90 minutes of reperfusion. The animals were administrated with 3 ml of the test drug solution before reperfusion. At the end of study, intestinal pathology, ultrastructure of IMMC, and expression of tryptase were assayed. The levels of malondisldehyde （MDA）, TNF-α, histamine, and superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity in intestine were detected, and the number of IMMC was counted. Results The Chiu＇s score of the rats in the model group was higher than in other groups （P〈0.01）. The Chiu＇s score in the high dosage group was higher than that in the low dosage group （P〈0.05）. Hemorrhage-reperfusion induced IMMC degranulation： Astragalus membranaceus injection attenuated this degranulation. Expression of tryptase and the number of IMMC in the model group increased compared with the other groups （P〈0.01） and was significantly reduced by the treatments of Astragalus membranaceus injection at both doses. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups （P〉0.05）. MDA content and concentration of TNF-α in the model group were higher than that in the other three groups （P〈0.05）, and the concentration of TNF-α in the low dosage group was higher than that in the high dosage group （P〈0.05）. SOD activity and the concentration of histamine in the model group were lower than the other three groups （P〈0.05）. There was a negative correlation between the Chiu＇s score and the concentration of histamine and a positive correlation between the Chiu＇s score and the concentration of TNF-α and between the SOD activity and the concentration of histamine in the four groups （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Astragalus membranaceus injection may reduce the damage to small intestine mucosa by inhibiting the activated IMMC after hemorrhagic shock.     

Holotransferrin enhances selective anticancer activity of artemisinin against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Artemisinin, also termed qinghaosu, is extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine ar- temesia annua L. （the blue-green herb） in the early 1970s, which has been confirmed for effectively treating malaria, Additionally, emerging data prove that artemisinin exhibits anti-cancer effects against many types of cancers such as leukemia, melanoma, etc. Artemisinin becomes cytotoxic in the presence of ferrous iron. Since iron influx is high in cancer cells, artemisinin and its analogs selectively kill can- cer cells with increased intracellular iron concentrations. This study is aimed to investigate the selective inhibitory effects of artemisinin on SMMC-7721 cells in vitro and determine the effect of holotransfer- fin, which increases the concentration of ferrous iron in cancer cells, combined with artemisinin on the anticancer activity. MTT assay was used for assessing the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells treated with artemisinin. The induction of apoptosis and inhibition of colony formation in SMMC-7721 cells treated with artemisinin were determined by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） and col- ony formation assay, respectively. The results showed that artemisinin at various concentrations signifi- cantly inhibited growth, colony formation and cell viability of SMMC-7721 cells （P〈0.05）, likely due to induction of apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells. Of interest, it was found that incubation of artemisinin combined with holotransferrin sensitized the growth inhibitory effect of artemisinin on SMMC-7721 cells （P〈0.01）. Our data suggest that treatment with artemisinin leads to inhibition of viability and pro- liferation, and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 ceils. Furthermore, we observed that holotransferrin signifi- cantly enhanced the anti-cancer activity of artemisinin. This study may provide a potential therapeutic choice for liver cancer.     

Effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (半夏泻心汤) on Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis of Human A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Objective: To examinie the synergistic effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction(半夏泻心汤,Known as Banhasasim-tang in Korean) extract(BXDE) on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in the A549 human lung cancer cell lines. Methods: A549 cells were treated with varying concentrations(50–200 μg/m L) of cisplatin and BXDE alone or in combination for 96 h. We used 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan assay and flow cytometry to analyze cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Results: The exposure of cells to cisplatin and BXDE alone or in combination decreased cell viability dose-and time-dependently(P0.05), which was found to be mediated by the apoptotic pathway as confirmed by the increase in the annexin V+/propidium iodide-stained cell population and a ladder pattern of discontinuous DNA fragments. Furthermore, the apoptosis was inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe) fluoromethylketone(z-VAD-FMK). Conclusions: BXDE significantly potentiated apoptotic effects of cisplatin in A549 cells. Moreover, apoptosis induced by BXDE might be the pivotal mechanism mediating its chemopreventative action against cancer.     

Insulin enhances apoptosis induced by cisplatin in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma EC9706 cells related to inhibition of autophagy

Background Chemoresistance is common among patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）.We investigated the effect and mechanism of insulin on enhancing anticancer functions of cisplatin in human esophageal cancer cell line EC9706.Methods The viability of EC9706 cells exposed to cisplatin was assessed using MTT assay.The times T1,when the number of living cells reached a plateau and T2,when the number of living cells reached a new plateau after the addition of insulin were found.T1 and T2 plateau cells were stained by Annexin V-FITC/PI and monodansylcadaverin （MDC）.Fluorescent microscopy was used to observe the expression of apoptosis and autophagy intuitively.Apoptotic ratio and fluorescent intensity were analysed by flow cytometry （FCM） quantitatively.Western blotting analysis was used to estimate the protein expression levels of AKT,mTOR,PI3K,PTEN,autophage related indicator LC3-Ⅱ and autophage related protein Beclin1 changes that occurred in the course of treatment.Results A larger number of typical autophagosomes were detected in EC9706 cells exposed to cisplatin.Insulin can increase the apoptosis induced by cisplatin.Apoptotic ratio of T1 plateau cells （（32.6±4.3）％） is significantly less than T2 plateau （（47.5±5.6）％）.MDC fluorescent intensity at T1 plateau （104.9±13.2） was significantly higher than intensity at T2 plateau （82.6±10.3）.After cotreatment with insulin,the expression level of LC3-Ⅱ,Beclin1 and PTEN in T2 plateau cells were significantly downregulated,but AKT,mTOR and PI3K expressions significantly upregulated compared with T1 plateau.Conclusions Insulin could enhance cisplatin-induced apoptosis in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma EC9706 cells related to inhibition of autophagy.The activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway induced by insulin resulted in the suppression of autophagy in EC9706 cells,which may be attributed to the anticancer effects of cisplatin.     

Effects and potential mechanisms of Danzhi Xiaoyao Pill (丹栀逍遥丸) on proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in vitro

Objective： To investigate the effects of 50% ethyl alcohol （EtOH） extracts from Danzhi Xiaoyao Pill （丹栀逍遥丸, DXP） on the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and potential mechanisms. Methods： ATP-Lite assay was performed to test the proliferation of the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line; and antioxidant activity was measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity （ORAC）. The effects of DXP on nitric oxide （NO） production were tested by lipopolysaccharide （LPS）- stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages using the Griess reaction. Results： The 50% EtOH DXP extracts displayed a cytotoxic response on MCF-7 cells at 0.10, 0.25 and 0.50 mg/mL dosedependently with the proliferation inhibited by more than 85%. The ORAC value of the DXP was 820μ moL Trolox equivalent/g, about 40% of the vitamin C value. DXP extracts had significant inhibitory effect on NO production at the concentration from 0.0625 mg/mL to 0.5 mg/mL （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. Conclusion： The extracts of DXP could significantly inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, with the effect possibly related to its antioxidant activity and the inhibition of NO production.     

Protective effect of cyclophilin A against Alzheimer＇s amyloid beta-peptide （25-35）-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells

Background β-amyloid peptide （Aβ） is considered responsible for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）. Possible mechanisms underlying Aβ-induced neuronal cytotoxicity include excessive production of reactive oxidative species （ROS） and apoptosis. Cyclophilin A （CypA）, exhibits antioxidant properties and protects neurons against oxidative stress induced injury. This study was conducted to demonstrate whether CyPA added to cultured PC12 cells could alleviate Aβ-induced oxidative stress and protect them from apoptosis.
Methods PC12 cells were pre-incubated for 30 minutes with recombinant human cyclophilin A （rhCyPA） in 0.1 nmol/L, 1.0 nmol/L, 10 nmol/L and 100 nmol/L and then incubated with 10 μmol/L Aβ25-35. In every group, cell viability, apoptotic morphology, apoptotic rate, intracellular ROS accumulation, the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） of PC12 cells and mitochondrial transmembrane potential were detected. Subsequently, the expression of the active form of caspase-3 was determined by Western blotting.
Results It was shown that cultures treated with 1.0 nmol/L, 1U nmol/L or 100 nmol/L rnL, rhCyPA＋Aβ25-35 had significantly higher cell viability and a lower rate of apoptosis compared with the cultures exposed only to Aβ25-35. In addition, rhCyPA attenuated Aβ25-35-induced overproduction of intracellular ROS and Aβ25.35-induced a decrease in activity of the key antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px. Furthermore, rhCyPA also attenuated Aβ25.35-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and the activation of caspase-3.
Conclusion CyPA may act as an ROS scavenger, and prevent Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity through attenuating oxidative stress induced by Aβ25-35.     

Effect of Inhalational Anesthetics on Cytotoxicity and Intracellular Calcium Differently in Rat Pheochromocytoma Cells （PC12）

Isoflurane, a commonly used inhaled anesthetic, induces apoptosis in rat pheochromocytoma cells （PC12） in a concentration- and time-dependent manner with unknown mechanism. We hypothesized that isoflurane induced apoptosis by causing abnormal calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum （ER） via activation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate （IP3） receptors. Alzheimer＇s presenilin-1 （PS 1） mutation increased activity of IP3 receptors and therefore rendered cells vulnerable to isoflurane-induced cytotoxicity. Sevoflurane and desflurane had less ability to disrupt intracellular calcium homeostasis and thus being less potent pared the cytotoxic effects of various inhaled to cause cytotoxicity. This study examined and com-anesthetics on PC12 cells transfected with the Alzheimer＇s mutated PS 1 （L286V） and the disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis. PC 12 cells transfected with wild type （WT） and mutated PS 1 （L286V） were treated with equivalent of 1 MAC of isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane for 12 h. MTT reduction and LDH release assays were performed to evaluate cell viability. Changes of calcium concentration in cytosolic space （[Ca^2＋]c） were determined after exposing different types of cells to various inhalational anesthetics. The effects of IP3 receptor antagonist xestospongin C on isoflurane-induced cytotoxicity and calcium release from the ER in L286V PC12 cells were also determined. The results showed that isoflurane at 1 MAC for 12 h induced cytoxicity in L286V but not WT PC12 cells, which was also associated with greater and faster elevation of peak [Ca^2＋]c in L286V than in the WT cells. Xestospongin C significantly ameliorated isoflurane cytotoxicity in L286V cells, as well as inhibited the calcium release from the ER in L286V cells. Sevoflurane and desflurane at equivalent exposure to isoflurane did not induce similar cytotoxicity or elevation of peak [Ca^2＋]c in L286V PC 12 cells. These results suggested that isoflurane induced cytoxicity by partially     

Airborne fine particulate matter induced pulmonary inflammation as well as oxidative stress in neonate rats

Background Airborne fine particulate matter （PM） can induce pulmonary inflammation which may adversely affect human health, but very few reports about its effect on the neonate rats are available. This study aimed to observe the potential impact and toxicity of fine PMs on the airway in neonate rats.Methods Pulmonary inflammation, cytotoxicity, histopathology, and antioxidants as well as oxidant products were assessed 24 hours after intratracheal instillation of fine PM consecutively for 3 days. Cytotoxicity of fine PM was measured in Hep-2 cells.Results Rats treated with high dose fine PM developed significant pulmonary inflammation characterized by neutrophiland macrophage infiltration. The inflammatory process was related to elevated level of TNF-α and prooxidant/antioxidant imbalance in the lung. Cytotoxicity studies performed in human epithelial cells indicated that high dose fine PM significantly reduced cell viability.Conclusion The study demonstrated acute exposure to fine PM induced airway inflammation as well as increased oxidative stress in addition to its direct toxic effect on airway epithelium cells.     

Experimental study on inhibitory effect of bridgy duct of hepatic artery on apoptosis of liver and bile duct cells

Objective： To investigate whether the method of bridgy duct established between the recipient＇s spleen artery and the donor＇s gastroduodenal artery could inhibit the apoptosis of liver and bile duct cells caused by hepatic artery ischemia. Methods： Twenty-four mongrel dogs from Xi＇an area were used to establish simplified models of dog orthotopic liver transplantation and divided into three groups randomly： HAI group （hepatic artery ischemia group）,BBB group（bypassing the blood by a bridgy duct） and control group. After cold perfusion, The samples were collected from liver and bile duct in each group at different time and fixed in glutaraldehyde and 4% polyformaldehyde respectively. At last, the apoptosis of liver and bile duct cells were observed and the apoptotic indexes were calculated. Results： Two hours after cold perfusion, apoptotic phenomenon was common in HAI group, rare in BBB group, while no apoptotic phenomenon was observed in control group. TUNEL staining showed that there was no significant difference in apoptotic index among the three groups immediately after cold perfusion. However, with time going, the apoptotic cells were increased in three groups, and the difference in apoptotic index was significant among three groups （P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusions： Bridgy duct of hepatic artery can inhibit the apoptosis of liver and bile duct cells caused by HAI significantly.     

Anticancer activity of total flavonoids isolated from Xianhe Yanling Recipe (仙鹤延龄方)

Objective:To investigate the anticancer activity of the total flavonoids isolated from a herbal formula,Xianhe Yanling Recipe（仙鹤延龄方）,a recipe commonly used in cancer patients in China.Methods: The in vitro anticancer activity of the total flavonoids was determined using the 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl）-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide（MTT） assay on three cancer cell lines:MCF-7（a human breast adenocarcinoma cell line）,HepG-2（a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line） and ES-2（a human ovarian cancer cell line）. The in vivo anticancer effect of the total flavonoids was assessed in a mouse tumor model bearing H22-induced hepatocellular carcinoma,and cisplatin was used as a positive control.Results:The total flavonoids exerted a powerful inhibitory effect on the three cell lines,with 50%inhibiting concentrations(IC₅₀) of 24.948,31.569 and 6.923μg/mL,respectively.In vivo studies showed that the total flavonoids had dose-dependent inhibitory effects on hepatocellular carcinoma in mice.Conclusion:The total flavonoids from Xianhe Yanling Recipe have potential anticancer activity,and further researches and development are warranted.