Matrine induced apoptosis of murine H22 hepatocarcinoma cells / 肿瘤

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of matrine on murine hepatocarcinoma cell line H22 in vivo and in vitro and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The H22 cell apoptosis induced by matrine at the early stage was detected with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay, The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in H22 cells as well as in the BALB/c H22 xenograft tumor tissues were detected using immunohistochemical method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the ultramicro-structure alterations of H22 xenograft tumor cells in BALB/c mice. The effect of matrine on the kinetics of tumor growth after subcutaneous injection of H22 cells in BALB/c mice was observed and the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Results: Annexin V staining detected early apoptosis of H22 cells after treatment with matrine 1.0 mg/mL and 1.5 mg/mL for 48 h. The apoptotic rates were 11.71% and 17.86%, respectively, both of which higher than that of control groups (P <0.05). The tumor inhibition rate was above 60% after matrine treatment. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that matrine increased Bax protein expression and reduced Bcl-2 protein expression in both H22 cells in vitro and xenograft tumor tissues in vivo. TEM demonstrated the existence of apoptotic cells and apoptotic bodies in H22 xenograft tumor tissues after matrine treatment. Conclusion: Matrine significantly suppresses tumor growth and induced apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. The apoptosis-inducing effects is related with up-regulation of Bax protein and down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein.