ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LDP)on the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in rat hepatocarcinoma CBRH7919 cells. Methods LDP-containing serum was prepared by serum pharmacological method. The protein expression of Cx43 in CBRH7919 cells was determined by Western blotting method, indirect immuno-fluorescent staining labeled by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-laser scanning confocal microscope technology and flow cytometry. And the mRNA expression of Cx43 in the hepatoma cells was detected by reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR). Results Compared with the blank serum control group,the protein and mRNA expression levels of Cx43 were increased by volume fraction of 2.5%, 5%, 10% LDP-containing serum (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion LDP play an anti-cancer role through promoting the expression of Cx43 in CBRH7919 cells, altering Cx43 membrane location, and improving the gap junctional intercellular communication(GJIC).