Effects of Aromatherapy on Physical and Mental Health of Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy and/or Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUP: Currently, aromatherapy is being increasingly utilized in clinical practice, particularly in managing the side effects associated with radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. However, it remains to be established whether aromatherapy can effectively alleviate these symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of aromatherapy on the physical and mental health of patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. METHODS: Seven databases were researched from inception until September 29, 2023, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, China Biology Medicine disc and VIP Chinese Medical Journal Database. Review Manager version 5.3 was utilized for data analysis. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool RoB2 was employed to evaluate the quality of the literature included in the study. Evidence quality rating was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach through the GRADEpro GDT online tool. RESULTS: Nineteen studies involving 1,541 patients were included. Aromatherapy can alleviate nausea [relative risk (RR)=0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53 to 0.78, P<0.05, I2=46%; standardized mean difference (SMD)=-0.86, 95% CI: -1.21 to -0.51, P<0.05, I2=64%] and vomiting (RR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.69, P<0.05, I2=35%; SMD=-1.28, 95% CI: -1.52 to -1.03, P<0.05, I2=92%), improve sleep disorders [mean difference (MD)=-3.39, 95% CI: -3.95 to -2.84, P<0.05, I2=0%], relieve pain (SMD=-1.58, 95% CI: -1.96 to -1.21, P<0.05, I2=0%), mitigate fatigue (SMD=-1.28, 95% CI: -2.44 to -0.11, P<0.05, I2=93%) and enhance quality of life (SMD=0.50, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.79, P<0.05, I2=0%) in cancer patients after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but it may not have a significant effect on anxiety. The risk of bias was high in the included studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool RoB2, and no studies were considered to be of high grade according to the GRADE system. CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy is an efficacious, safe and economic adjunctive therapy for cancer patients, which can mend the physical symptoms and mental health of cancer patients. However, more high-quality studies are needed to verify it. (PROSPERO registration No. CRD42023390171).

[Aqueous extract of Epimedium sagittatum mitigates pulmonary fibrosis in mice].

This study aims to investigate the intervention effect of the aqueous extract of Epimedium sagittatum Maxim on the mouse model of bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, so as to provide data support for the clinical treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Ninety male C57BL/6N mice were randomized into normal(n=10), model(BLM, n=20), pirfenidone(PFD, 270 mg·kg~(-1), n=15), and low-, medium-, and high-dose E. sagittatum extract(1.67 g·kg~(-1), n=15; 3.33 g·kg~(-1), n=15; 6.67 g·kg~(-1), n=15) groups. The model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by intratracheal instillation of BLM(5 mg·kg~(-1)) in the other five groups except the normal group, which was treated with an equal amount of normal saline. On the day following the modeling, each group was treated with the corresponding drug by gavage for 21 days. During this period, the survival rate of the mice was counted. After gavage, the lung index was calculated, and the morphology and collagen deposition of the lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Masson staining, respectively. The levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in lung cell suspensions were measured by flow cytometry. The levels of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD), and malondialdehyde(MDA) the in lung tissue were measured. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling(TUNEL) was employed to examine the apoptosis of lung tissue cells. The content of interleukin-6(IL-6), chemokine C-C motif ligand 2(CCL-2), matrix metalloproteinase-8(MMP-8), transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-ß1), alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), E-cadherin, collagen Ⅰ, and fibronectin in the lung tissue was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expression levels of F4/80, Ly-6G, TGF-ß1, and collagen Ⅰ in the lung tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels of CCL-2, IL-6, and MMP-7 in the lung tissue were determined by qRT-PCR. The content of hydroxyproline(HYP) in the lung tissue was determined by alkaline hydrolysation. The expression of α-SMA and E-cadherin was detected by immunofluorescence, and the protein levels of α-SMA, vimentin, E-cadherin in the lung tissue were determined by Western blot. The results showed the aqueous extract of E. sagittatum increased the survival rate, decreased the lung index, alleviated the pathological injury, collagen deposition, and oxidative stress in the lung tissue, and reduced the apoptotic cells. Furthermore, the aqueous extract of E. sagittatum down-regulated the protein levels of F4/80 and Ly-6G and the mRNA levels of CCL-2, IL-6, and MMP-7 in the lung tissue, reduced the content of IL-6, CCL-2, and MMP-8 in the alveolar lavage fluid. In addition, it lowered the levels of HYP, TGF-ß1, α-SMA, collagen Ⅰ, fibronectin, and vimentin, and elevated the levels of E-cadherin in the lung tissue. The aqueous extract of E. sagittatum can inhibit collagen deposition, alleviate oxidative stress, and reduce inflammatory response by regulating the expression of the molecules associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thus alleviating the symptoms of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Ultrasound-Chargeable Persistent Luminescence Nanoparticles to Generate Self-Propelled Motion and Photothermal/NO Therapy for Synergistic Tumor Treatment.

Cancer phototherapy indicates advantages in ease of manipulation, negligible drug resistance, and spatiotemporal control but is confronted with challenges in tumor cell accessibility and intermittent light excitation. Herein, we propose a strategy with persistent luminescence (PL)-excited photothermal therapy (PTT), concurrent thermophoresis-propelled motion, and PL-triggered NO release, where PL emission is chargeable by ultrasonication for readily applicable to deep tumors. Mechanoluminescent (ML) nanodots of SrAl2O4:Eu2+ (SAOE) and PL nanodots of ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ (ZGC) were deposited on mesoporous silicates to obtain mSZ nanoparticles (NPs), followed by partially coating with polydopamine (PDA) caps and loading NO donors to prepare Janus mSZ@PDA-NO NPs. The ML emission bands of SAOE nanodots overlap with the excitation band of ZGC, and the persistent near-infrared (NIR) emission could be repeatedly activated by ultrasonication. The PL emission acts as an internal NIR source to produce a thermophoretic force and NO gas propellers to drive the motion of Janus NPs. Compared with the commonly used intermittent NIR illumination at both 660 and 808 nm, the persistent motion of ultrasound-activated NPs enhances cellular uptake and long-lasting PTT and intracellular NO levels to combat tumor cells without the use of any chemotherapeutic drugs. The ultrasound-activated persistent motion promotes intratumoral accumulation and tumor distribution of PTT/NO therapeutics and exhibits significantly higher tumor growth inhibition, longer animal survival, and larger intratumoral NO levels than those who experience external NIR illumination. Thus, this study demonstrates a strategy to activate PL emissions and construct PL-excited nanomotors for phototherapy in deep tissues.

Pyroelectric Janus nanomotors to promote cell internalization and synergistic tumor therapy.

The tumor diffusion and cell internalization are the major obstacles to improving delivery efficacy of therapeutic agents. External electric fields have shown strong effect on the cell membrane polarization and fluidity, but usually need complicated power management circuits. Herein, in situ generation of microelectric field on nanoparticles (NPs) is proposed to overcome these delivery barriers. Janus tBT@PDA-CPT NPs were developed through partially coating of polydopamine (PDA) caps on pyroelectric tetragonal BaTiO3 (tBT) NPs and then camptothecin (CPT) conjugation via disulfide linkages. For comparison, cBT@PDA-CPT NPs were prepared from non-pyroelectric cubic BaTiO3 (cBT) as control. Near-infrared (NIR) illumination on PDA caps of the Janus NPs produces asymmetric thermophoretic force to drive NP motion for tumor accumulation, deep tissue penetration and effective cell interaction. Photothermally created temperature variations on tBT NPs build pyroelectric potentials to selectively change the membrane potential of tumor cells other than normal cells and exhibit a dominated role in enhancing tumor cell internalization and cytotoxicity. The combination index analysis confirms the synergistic effect of pyroelectric dynamic therapy (PEDT), chemotherapy and photothermal therapy (PTT), leading to full inhibition of tumor growth and noticeable extension of animal survival at significant lower CPT doses. The mild PTT/PEDT, the reduced CPT dose and the selective toxicity to tumor cells have achieved favorable treatment safety after tBT@PDA-CPT/NIR treatment. Therefore, in response to the differences in membrane potentials and glutathione levels between tumor and normal cells, we have demonstrated a concise design to achieve thermophoresis-driven motion, pyroelectric potential-enhanced cell internalization and PTT/PEDT/chemotherapy-synergized antitumor treatment.

Photothermal Propelling and Pyroelectric Potential-Promoted Cell Internalization of Janus Nanoparticles and Pyroelectrodynamic Tumor Therapy.

Cancer phototherapy experiences limitations in tissue diffusion and cell internalization of phototherapeutic agents and dose-dependent side effects. Herein, Janus pyroelectric nanoparticles (NPs) are designed to generate self-powered motion and built-in electric fields to overcome the delivery barriers. Polydopamine (PDA) layers are partially coated on tetragonal BaTiO3 (tBT) NPs to prepare Janus tBT@PDA, and Au NPs are deposited on the PDA caps to obtain Janus tBT@PDA-Au NPs. Near-infrared (NIR) illumination of tBT@PDA-Au builds in situ pyroelectric potentials on NPs, which selectively affect the membrane potential of tumor cells rather than normal cells to enhance tumor cell internalization and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) for pyroelectric dynamic therapy (PEDT). The asymmetric photothermal effect of the Janus NPs creates thermophoretic force to propel NP motion, which enhances tumor diffusion and cellular uptake of NPs and boosts cytotoxicity and intracellular ROS levels. The inoculation of Au NPs increases the photothermal effect, exhibits larger motion velocities, produces higher pyroelectric potentials, and elevates cellular uptake rates, resulting in significant induction of tumor cell apoptosis, suppression of tumor growth, and extension of animal survival. Thus, the concise design of tBT@PDA-Au/NIR treatment has achieved thermophoretic motion-promoted tissue diffusion, built-in electric field-enhanced cell internalization, and photothermal/PEDT-synergized antitumor efficacy.

Pyroelectric Janus nanomotors for synergistic electrodynamic-photothermal-antibiotic therapies of bacterial infections.

Antibacterial electrotherapy is currently activated by external electric field or self-powered generators, but usually needs complicated power management circuits. Herein, near-infrared illumination (NIR) of pyroelectric nanoparticles (NPs) produces a built-in electric field to address the effectiveness and safety concerns in the antibacterial treatment. Janus tBT@PDA NPs were obtained by capping polydopamine (PDA) on tetragonal BaTiO3 (tBT) NPs through defining the polymerization time, followed by ciprofloxacin (CIP) loading on the PDA caps to fabricate Janus tBT@PDA-Cip NPs. NIR illumination of PDA caps creates temperature variations on tBT NPs to generate photothermal and pyroelectric effects. Finite element simulation reveals a pyroelectric potential of over 1 V and sufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced to exhibit pyroelectric dynamic therapy (PEDT). The elevated temperature on one side of the Janus NPs produces thermophoretic force to drive NP motion, which enhances interactions with bacteria and overcomes limitations in the short action distance and lifespan of ROS. The pyroelectric field accelerates CIP release through weakening the π-π stacking and electrostatic interaction with PDA and also interrupts membrane potentials of bacteria to enhance CIP invasion into bacteria. The synergistic antibacterial effect of pyroelectric tBT@PDA-Cip NPs causes the fully recovery of S. aureus-infected skin wounds and regeneration of intact epidermis, blood vessels and hair follicles, while no obvious pathological change or inflammatory lesion is detected in the major organs. Thus, the pyroelectric Janus nanomotors demonstrate synergistic PEDT/photothermal/antibiotic effects to enhance antibacterial efficacy while avoiding the necessity of excessive heat, ROS and antibiotic doses. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Antibacterial treatment is challenged by antibiotics-derived side effects and the evolution of resistant strains. Phototherapy is commonly associated with excessive heat and oxidative stress, and their combinations with other agents are especially encouraged to strengthen antibacterial efficacy while alleviating the associated side effects. Electric field is another activator to generate antibacterial abilities, but usually requires complicated power management and bulk electrodes, making it inconvenient in a biological setup. To address these challenges, we propose a strategy to generate microelectric field on nanoparticles themselves and achieve synergistic electrodynamic-photothermal-antibiotic therapies. The pyroelectric effect weakens interactions between nanoparticles and antibiotics to accelerate drug release, and the built-in pyroelectric field increases membrane fluidity to enhance bacterial uptake of antibiotics.

[Protective effect of breviscapine against brain injury induced by intrauterine inflammation in preterm rats and its mechanism]. / ç¯ç›èŠ±ç´ å¯¹å®«å† ç‚Žç—‡è‡´æ—©äº§å¤§é¼ è„‘æŸä¼¤çš„ä¿æŠ¤ä½œç”¨åŠå ¶æœºåˆ¶æŽ¢è®¨.

OBJECTIVES: To study the protective effect of breviscapine against brain injury induced by intrauterine inflammation in preterm rats and its mechanism. METHODS: A preterm rat model of brain injury caused by intrauterine inflammation was prepared by intraperitoneal injections of lipopolysaccharide in pregnant rats. The pregnant rats and preterm rats were respectively randomly divided into 5 groups: control, model, low-dose breviscapine (45 mg/kg), high-dose breviscapine (90 mg/kg), and high-dose breviscapine (90 mg/kg)+ML385 [a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor, 30 mg/kg] (n=10 each). The number and body weight of the live offspring rats were measured for each group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of the uterus and placenta of pregnant rats and the pathological morphology of the brain tissue of offspring rats. Immunofluorescent staining was used to measure the co-expression of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 (IBA-1) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) in the cerebral cortex of offspring rats. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in the brain tissue of offspring rats. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of Nrf2 pathway-related proteins in the brain tissue of offspring rats. RESULTS: Pathological injury was found in the uterus, and placenta tissue of the pregnant rats and the brain tissue of the offspring rats, and severe microglia pyroptosis occurred in the cerebral cortex of the offspring rats in the model group. Compared with the control group, the model group had significant reductions in the number and body weight of the live offspring rats and the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the brain tissue of the offspring rats (P<0.05), but significant increases in the relative fluorescence intensity of the co-expression of IBA-1 and NLRP3, the levels of the inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1ß, and the protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the brain tissue of the offspring rats (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the breviscapine administration groups showed alleviated pathological injury of the uterus and placenta tissue of the pregnant rats and the brain tissue of the offspring rats, significant increases in the number and body weight of the live offspring rats and the protein expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the brain tissue of the offspring rats (P<0.05), and significant reductions in the relative fluorescence intensity of the co-expression of IBA-1 and NLRP3, the levels of the inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1ß, and the protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the brain tissue of the offspring rats (P<0.05). The high-dose breviscapine group had a significantly better effect than the low-dose breviscapine (P<0.05). ML385 significantly inhibited the intervention effect of high-dose breviscapine (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Breviscapine can inhibit inflammatory response in brain tissue of preterm rats caused by intrauterine inflammation by activating the Nrf2 pathway, and it can also inhibit microglial pyroptosis and alleviate brain injury.

Synergistic Antifungal Effect of Amphotericin B-Loaded Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles and Ultrasound against Candida albicans Biofilms.

Candida albicans is a human opportunistic pathogen that causes superficial and life-threatening infections. An important reason for the failure of current antifungal drugs is related to biofilm formation, mostly associated with implanted medical devices. The present study investigated the synergistic antifungal efficacy of low-frequency and low-intensity ultrasound combined with amphotericin B (AmB)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (AmB-NPs) against C. albicans biofilms. AmB-NPs were prepared by a double-emulsion method and demonstrated lower toxicity than free AmB. We then established biofilms and treated them with ultrasound and AmB-NPs separately or jointly in vitro and in vivo The results demonstrated that the activity, biomass, and proteinase and phospholipase activities of biofilms were decreased significantly after the combination treatment of AmB-NPs with 42 kHz of ultrasound irradiation at an intensity of 0.30 W/cm2 for 15 min compared with the controls, with AmB alone, or with ultrasound treatment alone (P < 0.01). The morphology of the biofilms was altered remarkably after joint treatment based on confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), especially in regard to reduced thickness and loosened structure. Furthermore, the same synergistic effects were found in a subcutaneous catheter biofilm rat model. The number of CFU from the catheter exhibited a significant reduction after joint treatment with AmB-NP and ultrasound for seven continuous days, and CLSM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the biofilm on the catheter surface was substantially eliminated. This method may provide a new noninvasive, safe, and effective therapy for C. albicans biofilm infection.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha G-308A gene polymorphism and coronary heart disease susceptibility: an updated meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Several studies have reported apparently conflicting findings for the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) G-308A polymorphism on coronary heart disease (CHD) susceptibility. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between this gene variant and CHD predisposition. METHODS: We systematically searched electronic databases (Medline, EMbase, Chinese BioMedical, BIOSIS, Global Health, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Cochrane Library, HuGE Navigator, and British Nursing) for relevant studies published between 1947 and October, 2010. Summarized estimation of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Publication bias and heterogeneity among studies were explored. RESULTS: We identified 24 studies providing data for 9 921 cases and 7 944 controls. Pooled analysis based on ORs adjusted by CHD risk factors showed that carrying the TNF-α gene A variant conferred a 1.5-fold increased risk of developing CHD (AG+AA vs. GG, OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.23-1.77) in Caucasian population. No significant association between the gene polymorphism and CHD risk could be found in other ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: It is probable that carrying the A variant is associated with CHD risk in Caucasians but not in Asians, Indians, or Africans. Further studies are merited to assess the association in greater details, especially in Asians, Indians and Africans.

[Immuno-regulatory effect of 3'-meisoindigo in mice of various germlines].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 3'-meisoindigo on the proliferation and the biological function of the splenocyte and thymocyte of mouse, which were 8 weeks old masculinity BALB/c, C57BL/6 and F1 hybridization mouse. METHODS: Cells of thymus and spleen were harvested and prepared as the unicell suspension, then treated with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 micromol/L 3'-meisoindigo. The cell proliferation was by MTT method, concentration of IL-12 was dectected by ELISA method, the mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and CDK2 were decected by RT-PCR. The cell cycle, apoptosis ratio, death ratio and intracellular ROS concentration were detected by FCM method. The protein level of Bcl-2, CDK2 and Bax were detected by immumofluorescence method. RESULTS: 15, 20, 25 micromol/L 3'-meisoindigo can inhibit the proliferation of thymocyte and splenocyte (P < 0.05). It had dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. 3'-meisoindigo inhibit the secretion of IL-12, even at 5 micromol/L concentration. 15 micromol/L 3'-meisoindigo decrease the mRNA level of Bcl-2 and CDK2, induced apoptosis and G2 arrestting of the thymocyte and splenocyte. (P < 0.05). The intracellular ROS level increased after treated by 3'-meisoindigo at 15 micromol/L for 24 h (P < 0.05). There were no difference among three germ line mouse. CONCLUSION: Above 15 micromol/L, 3'-meisoindigo can inhibit the proliferation and externalization function of thymocyte and splenocyte from different germ line mouse, meanwhile the mRNA and protein level of Bcl-2 and CDK2 decrease, the Bax protein expressed increased, the intracellular ROS level increase too.

[Experimental study on mechanisms of lyophilized powder of fresh gekko Chinenis in inhibiting H22 hepatocarcinoma angiogenesis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effects and its mechanism of lyophilized powder of fresh Gekko Chinenis (GCLP) on H22 hepatocarcinoma growth and angiogenesis in vitro. METHODS: The transplant tumor model of H22 hepatocarcinoma in mice was established. Thirty mice were randomly divided into three groups, the cisplatin group, the GCLP group and the control group, they were treated respectively with intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 1 mg/g, oral administration of GCLP in a dose of 1.2 g/kg, and equal volume of saline, the medication was given for 20 times totally. The anti-tumor activity was evaluated by tumor tissue weighing, the cell apoptotic rate was detected by TUNEL method, the micro-vessel density in tumor tissue was determined by Weidner method, the protein expression of vascular endothelin growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were detected by S-P immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: GCLP could obviously inhibit the hepatocarcinoma growth, induce tumor cell apoptosis, and reduce micro-vessel density in tumor tissue through down-regulating VEGF and bFGF protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: GCLP can effectively inhibit the growth of H22 hepatocarcinoma and angiogenesis. Its mechanism might be related to the down-regulation of the protein expression of VEGF and bFGF.

[Experimental study on anti-platelet effects of ginsenoside -2A in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the in vitro anti-platelet effects of Ginsenoside -2A,a purified extract from Panax notoginseng. METHODS: Platelet rich plasma (PRP) was prepared routinely from venous blood samples of patients with essential hypertension and normal persons. PRP was incubated with different concentrations of Nifedipine, Ginsenoside-2A ,and SK&F96365. Maximal platelet aggregation rate[ PAG (M) ] induced by 2 micromol/L ADP was taken as the observed index. Five-minute PAG( M) was determined for 5 consecutive times. RESULTS: (1) PAG (M) in essential hypertension group was 0. 89 +/- 0. 06, which was higher than that in the normal group (0. 68 +/-0. 07 ) with significant difference (P <0.01). (2)Nifedipine of two concentrations (10 p.mol/L,20 pVmol/L) had no effect on PAG(M) in either essential hypertension group or normal group(P >0. 05). (3)Different concentrations of SK&F96365 (2.5 micromol/L,5 micromol/L,10 micromol/L and 20 micromol/L) could inhibit the PAG(M) in essential hypertension group; (4) Differen concentrations of Ginsenoside -2A (2. 5 micromol/L, 5 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L and 20 micromol/L) could inhibit PAG ( M) in essential hypertension group; three concentrations of Ginsenoside -2A (5 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L, 20 micromol/L) could inhibit the PAG(M) in the normal group (all P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Platelet aggregating function in essential hypertension patients was obviously higher than that in the normal persons and platelets was in the high reactive status. Nifedipine had no inhibitive effect on platelet aggregation. SK&F96365 could inhibit the platelet aggregation. Ginsenoside-2A could inhibit platelet aggregation, and had the definite anti-platelet action.

[Study on sero-pharmacology of fresh Gecko Swinhonis Gunther freeze-dried powder in inducing cell apoptosis of C6 glioma cells in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Gecko Swinhonis Gunther freeze-dried powder (GFP) in inducing apoptosis of C6 glioma cells. METHODS: Thirty mice were randomly divided into three groups and treated with intraperitoneally injection of cisplatin, orally taken GFP or distilled water respectively. After treatment for 20 days, the serum of mice was collected for treating the C6 glioma cells. The apoptosis state of cells was observed by morphological examination, flow cytometry and TUNEL method, and the cell apoptosis related gene expression of bcl-2 and bax were determined by S-P immunocytochemical assay. RESULTS: The C6 glioma cell apoptosis induction of GFP contained serum in vitro could be confirmed by morphological examination, flow cytometry analysis and TUNEL method. Comparison between the GFP treated group and the blank control group on intracellular bcl-2 gene expression showed no difference, but bax gene expression was higher in the GFP treated group. CONCLUSION: GFP contained serum could induce C6 glioma cell apoptosis, its mechanism might be related with the up-regulation of bax gene.