Activation of the TREK-1 Potassium Channel Improved Cognitive Deficits in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Modulating Glutamate Metabolism.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive dysfunction. The glutamate (Glu) metabolic pathway may be a major contributor to the memory dysfunction associated with AD. The TWIK-related potassium channel-1 (TREK-1) protects against brain ischemia, but any specific role for the channel in AD remains unknown. In this study, we used SAMP8 mice as an AD model and age-matched SAMR1 mice as controls. We explored the trends of changes in TREK-1 channel activity and the levels of AD-related molecules in the brains of SAMP8 mice. We found that the expression level of TREK-1 increased before 3 months of age and then began to decline. The levels of Tau and Glu increased with age whereas the acetylcholine level decreased with age. α-Linolenic acid (ALA), an activator of the TREK-1 channel, significantly increased the TREK-1 level, and improved the learning and memory deficits of SAMP8 mice aged 6 months. The mechanism in play may involve the Glu metabolic pathway. After activation of the TREK-1 channel, damaged neurons and astrocytes were rescued, the levels of Glu and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor were downregulated, and the level of glutamate transporter-1 was upregulated. These findings suggest that TREK-1 plays a crucial role in the pathological progression of AD; activation of the TREK-1 channel improved cognitive deficits in SAMP8 mice via a mechanism that involved Glu metabolism. The TREK-1 potassium channel may thus be a valuable therapeutic target in AD patients.

Graphene and graphene-based materials in axonal repair of spinal cord injury.

Graphene and graphene-based materials have the ability to induce stem cells to differentiate into neurons, which is necessary to overcome the current problems faced in the clinical treatment of spinal cord injury. This review summarizes the advantages of graphene and graphene-based materials (in particular, composite materials) in axonal repair after spinal cord injury. These materials have good histocompatibility, and mechanical and adsorption properties that can be targeted to improve the environment of axonal regeneration. They also have good conductivity, which allows them to make full use of electrical nerve signal stimulation in spinal cord tissue to promote axonal regeneration. Furthermore, they can be used as carriers of seed cells, trophic factors, and drugs in nerve tissue engineering scaffolds to provide a basis for constructing a local microenvironment after spinal cord injury. However, to achieve clinical adoption of graphene and graphene-based materials for the repair of spinal cord injury, further research is needed to reduce their toxicity.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes: Toward cell-free therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicine.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with marked potential for regenerative medicine because of their strong immunosuppressive and regenerative abilities. The therapeutic effects of MSCs are based in part on their secretion of biologically active factors in extracellular vesicles known as exosomes. Exosomes have a diameter of 30-100 nm and mediate intercellular communication and material exchange. MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have potential for cell-free therapy for diseases of, for instance, the kidney, liver, heart, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system. Hence, MSC-Exos are an alternative to MSC-based therapy for regenerative medicine. We review MSC-Exos and their therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases and injuries.

Diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19), it has rapidly spread to 187 countries, causing serious harm to the health of people and a huge social burden. However, currently, drugs specifically approved for clinical use are not available, except for vaccines against COVID-19 that are being evaluated. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is capable of performing syndrome differentiation and treatment according to the clinical manifestations of patients, and has a better ability of epidemic prevention and control. The authors comprehensively analyzed the etiology and pathogenesis of COVID-19 based on the theory of TCM, and discussed its syndrome differentiation, treatment and prevention measures so as to provide strategies and reference for the prevention and treatment with TCM.

Corrigendum: ß-Sitosterol and Gemcitabine Exhibit Synergistic Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Activity by Modulating Apoptosis and Inhibiting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Deactivating Akt/GSK-3ß Signaling.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01525.].

Dietary yeast hydrolysate and brewer's yeast supplementation could enhance growth performance, innate immunity capacity and ammonia nitrogen stress resistance ability of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary yeast hydrolysate and brewer's yeast supplementation on growth, immune-related genes expression and ammonia nitrogen stress resistance of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic practical diets were formulated to contain 0% (control diet), 1% yeast hydrolysate and 1% brewer's yeast, respectively. 360 juvenile L. vannamei with an initial weight (0.88 ±â€¯0.01 g) was randomly divided into 3 treatments in four replicates (30 shrimp per replicate). The results indicated that shrimp fed the diet containing 1% yeast hydrolysate had a significantly higher weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR) than that fed the control diet, and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was occurred in the 1% yeast hydrolysate supplementation group. Proximate composition in whole body and muscle among all treatments was not significantly influenced by the dietary yeast hydrolysate or brewer's yeast supplementation. The challenge test with ammonia nitrogen showed that lower cumulative survival was observed in those fed the control diet, and the highest cumulative survival was occurred at shrimp fed the 1% yeast hydrolysate supplementation. Shrimp fed the control diet had higher inflammation-related genes expression levels of tnf-α and il-1ß in the intestine than those fed the diets supplemented with 1% yeast hydrolysate or 1% brewer's yeast, however, there was no significant difference in expression level of alp in intestine among all treatments. The relative expression levels of mTOR signal pathway genes (eif4ebp, eif4e1a, eif4e2 and p70s6k) were significantly up-regulated in the shrimp fed the diets supplemented with 1% yeast hydrolysate, and the lowest gene expression levels of eif4ebp, eif4e1a, eif4e2 and p70s6k in the intestine were occurred at the control diet. The highest expression levels of the immune-related genes (dorsal, relish, and proPO) in the intestine were observed at shrimp fed the 1% yeast hydrolysate supplementation, and the lowest expression levels of these genes were occurred at shrimp fed the control diet, however, there was no significant difference in gene expression of lysozyme among all treatments. The expression levels of penaeidin3a, crustin, proPO, and IMD in the hepatopancreas were significantly influenced by the dietary yeast hydrolysate, brewer's yeast or no yeast product supplementation, shrimp fed the 1% yeast hydrolysate supplementation had higher expression levels of these genes than those fed the control diet. The present study indicated that dietary 1% yeast hydrolysate or brewer's yeast supplementation could improve growth performance, enhance innate immunity, and strengthen resistance of ammonia nitrogen stress, and dietary 1% yeast hydrolysate supplementation provides better immunostimulatory effects than brewer's yeast of L. vannamei.

Proteomics analysis demonstrating rosmarinic acid suppresses cell growth by blocking the glycolytic pathway in human HepG2 cells.

Rosmarinic acid (RA), isolated from herbal balm mint plants, has demonstrated potent anti-tumor properties against liver cancer. However, the precise underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of RA in HepG2 cells. RA anti-tumor activity was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays, and Hoechst 33258 staining. Apoptosis and the cell cycle distribution were evaluated by flow cytometry. A proteomics approach was used to identify differentially expressed proteins following RA treatment in HepG2 cells, and quantitative reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the results. Bioinformatics analysis was also implemented to further understand the identified proteins, and western blotting was used to analyze the associated proteins. Our results suggested that RA treatment significantly inhibits the viability of HepG2 cells. The MTT and LDH assays indicated dose-dependent decreases in cell proliferation following RA treatment. Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry analysis showed that RA exhibits an apoptosis-inducing effect and induces cell cycle arrest in G1. The proteomics analysis successfully identified 16 differentially expressed proteins. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the identified proteins participated in several biological processes and exhibited various molecular functions, mainly related to inactivation of the glycolytic pathway. Further western blotting analysis showed that RA could downregulate the expression of glucose transporter-1 and hexokinase-2, leading to the suppression of glucose consumption and generation of lactate and ATP. Taken together, our study found that RA exhibits significant cytotoxic effects by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, possibly by blocking the glycolytic pathway in human HepG2 cells.

ß-Sitosterol and Gemcitabine Exhibit Synergistic Anti-pancreatic Cancer Activity by Modulating Apoptosis and Inhibiting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Deactivating Akt/GSK-3ß Signaling.

ß-sitosterol (BS), a major bioactive constituent present in plants, has shown potent anti-cancer activity against many human cancer cells, but its activity in pancreatic cancer (PC) cells has rarely been reported. Gemcitabine (GEM) is one of the first-line drugs for PC therapy, however, the treatment effect is not sustained due to prolonged drug resistance. In this study, we firstly studied the anti-PC activity and the mechanism of BS alone and in combination with GEM in vitro and in vivo. BS effectively inhibited the growth of PC cell lines by inhibiting proliferation, inducing G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis, suppressed the NF- kB activity, and increased expression of the protein Bax but decreased expression of the protein Bcl-2. Moreover, BS inhibited migration and invasion and downregulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and AKT/GSK-3ß signaling pathways. Furthermore, the combination of BS and GEM exhibited a significant synergistic effect in MIAPaCa-2 and BXPC-3 cells. More importantly, the combined treatment with BS and GEM lead to significant growth inhibition of PC xenografts. Overall, our data revealed a promising treatment option for PC by the combination therapy of BS and GEM.

Lariciresinol induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells via mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway.

Lariciresinol (LA) is one of the main active ingredients in many traditional medicinal plants such as Patrinia, and has the role of anti-liver cancer. However, the precise mechanisms are unclear. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms of LA against HepG2 cells. LA anti-tumor activity was assessed with the CCK-8, Ki-67, and immunofluorescence staining. Cells apoptotic ratio was evaluated by Annexin V/PI double-staining assay. A proteomic approach was used to identify differentially expressed proteins after LA treatment. JC-1 staining was carried out to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and the Western blot analysis was used to analyse the apoptosis-associated proteins. Our results suggested that LA significantly suppressed the viability of HepG2 cells. The CCK-8 and Ki-67 expression indicated dose-dependent decreases in cell proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis showed that LA exhibited a apoptosis-inducing effect. The proteomic study observed the presence of apoptosis-associated proteins and mitochondrial dysfunction in HepG2 cells after LA-treatment. Further analysis showed that LA could trigger the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway, based on a decrease in ΔΨm; deliver of cytochrome c; activation of caspase-9/-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase; and decrease of the proportion of Bcl-2/Bax. Collectively, our studies found that LA exhibits significant cytotoxic effects by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, possibly via activation of the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway.

Synergistic cytotoxicity of ampelopsin sodium and carboplatin in human non-small cell lung cancer cell line SPC-A1 by G1 cell cycle arrested.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of ampelopsin sodium (Amp-Na) and carboplatin (CBP) used alone or in combination on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells SPC-A1 in vitro and its related mechanism. METHODS: Cytotoxic effects were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. The synergistic effects of the drugs were calculated with coefficient of drug interaction (CDI). Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry (FCM). The levels of p53, p21, cyclinE, cyclinD1, and phosphorylated cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (p-CDK2) were evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: Amp-Na (6.25-200 µg/mL) and CBP (3.13-100 µg/mL) alone exhibited prominent cytotoxic activity in a concentration-dependent manner on SPC-A1 cells with 50% inhibitive concentration values of 57.07±14.46 and 34.97±6.30 µg/mL, respectively. Drug combinations were associated with significantly higher cytotoxic effects than each drug alone (P<0.05 or 0.01). The CDI analysis confirmed the synergy of Amp-Na and CBP on inhibiting cancer cell viability across a wide concentration range (CDI <1). FCM and Western blot showed that synergistic cytotoxic effects of Amp-Na and CBP were related to G1 arrested which mainlym ediated by p 21 through the inhibition of CDK2 activity independent of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Amp-Na exhibits anticancer activities and enhances the antitumor activities of CBP through up-regulation of p21 and inhibition of CDK2 activity in human NSCLC cells SPC-A1. These results suggest that Amp-Na may be applied to enhance the anticancer action of CBP.

Proteomic analysis of apoptosis induction by lariciresinol in human HepG2 cells.

Lariciresinol (LA) is a traditional Chinese medicine possessing anticancer activity, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. The present study explored the effects of LA on human HepG2 cells and the underlying mechanism. Our data indicated that LA inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest in S phase, subsequently resulting in apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Using a proteomics approach, eight differentially expressed proteins were identified. Among them, three proteins, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, UDP-glucose 4-epimerase, and annexin A1, were upregulated, while the other five proteins, heat shock protein 27, haptoglobin, tropomodulin-2, tubulin alpha-1A chain, and brain acid soluble protein 1, were downregulated; all of these proteins are involved in cell proliferation, metabolism, cytoskeletal organization, and movement. Network analysis of these proteins suggested that the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (UBC) plays an important role in the mechanism of LA. Western blotting confirmed downregulation of heat shock protein 27 and upregulation of ubiquitin and UBC expression levels in LA-treated cells, consistent with the results of two-dimensional electrophoresis and a STRING software-based analysis. Overall, LA is a multi-target compound with anti-cancer effects potentially related to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This study will increase our understanding of the anticancer mechanisms of LA.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of a tumour-targeting therapy candidate rh-IFNα2a-NGR with rh-IFNα2a administered intravenously in mice and rats.

OBJECTIVES: rh-IFNα2a-NGR is a promising anti-tumor candidate. The aim of present study was to compare pharmacokinetics of rh-IFNα2a-NGR with rh-IFNα2a. METHODS: Pharmacokinetics and elimination were investigated after intravenous administration to mice and rats. Compared tumor and tissue distribution profiles between rh-IFNα2a-NGR and rh-IFNα2a were illustrated in the tumor transplanted mice of SP2/0 myeloma. Double antibody sandwich ELISA method was used to assess the level of both rh-IFNα2a-NGR and rh-IFNα2a in serum, tissue, bile and urine. KEY FINDINGS: After a single intravenous administration, the pharmacokinetic characters of rh-IFNα2a-NGR and rh-IFNα2a were described using a two-compartment model. No significant differences were observed between the two drugs in pharmacokinetic and elimination data. However, the concentration of rh-IFNα2a-NGR in tumor was 5.34 times and 1.52 times as high as that of rh-IFNα2a at 0.5 h (P < 0.01) and 1 h. In addition, immunohistochemical stain displayed rh-IFNα2a-NGR was predominantly located in tumor vascular tissues. CONCLUSIONS: rh-IFNα2a-NGR could be an agent for tumor vascular-targeting therapy and these findings provided references for further clinical study.

[Study on the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins on increasing the radiosensitivity for X-ray].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins (GSPs) on enhancing the radiosensitivity of human hepatic carcinoma cell line HepG2, human cervical cancer cell line Hela and human leukemia cell line K562 for X-ray in vitro. METHODS: The killing effect of GSPs combined with X-ray on cells was evaluated by SRB and clone formation assay. RESULTS: The GSPs had obvious cytotoxicity on three cell lines in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. However, inhibition rate of different cell line were quite different, the strongest one was human leukemia K562 cells and the others were weak. The sensitization ranges calculated by univariate analysis were 6.25-12.5 microg/mL for human leukemia K562 cells. Sensitization enhancement ratio was 1.94 using curve fitting method for K562 cells. CONCLUSION: GSPs can obviously enhance the radiosensitivity of cancer cells in vitro. The mechanism of sensitization effect may be related to the effects of GSPs on oxygen balance and cell cycle.

[Effects of extracts from Patrinia heterophylla on gene expression patterns during morphogenesis of chicken limb buds in vivo].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of the extracts from Patrinia heterophylla on gene expression patterns during morphogenesis of chicken limb buds in vivo. METHODS: Implanted a bead into an chicken embryo, which was soaked in the extracts from Patrinia heterophylla. Detected the extracts-induced morphogenesis changes (Myf5, Myod and PCNA). RESULTS: The extracts from Patrinia heterophylla (200 mg/mL) could affect limb bud development, reduce gene expression of MyfS, MyoD and PCNA. CONCLUSION: The extracts from Patrinia heterophylla can inhibit cell differentiation and proliferation.

[An experimental observation of pulmonary fibrosis in rats and its transforming growth factor beta1 treated by total hedysarum polybotyssaccharide].

OBJECTIVE: To treat pulmonary fibrosis and study its mechanisms. METHODS: Choosing randomly 24 Wistar rats with normal sodium intratracheal injection as normal control group, the rests with heomycin A5 induced fibrosis were divided randomly into model group 24 as positive control, prednisone group 24, total hedysarum polybotyssaccharide (THPS) group 24, THPS and small dose prednisone group 24, and treated with different drugs. 6 rats of every group were put to death and observed pathological section, using imaging processing computer to quantitative analysis histomorphology, collagen, and transforming growth beta1, (TGF-beta1) on 7, 14, 30, 60 days. RESULTS: The group treated by THPS combination small dose prednisone showed up the most effects in the 3 treatment groups. CONCLUSION: THPS combination small dose prednisone to treat pulmonary fibrosis of rats is better than classic ways and its efficacy of inhibition TGF-beta1 may be a mechanism.

[Effect of Patrinia scabra extracts on the level of serum cytokine in sarcoma 180 ascitic tumor burdened mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Potrinia scabro extracts (PSE) on the level of serum cytokine in Sarcoma 180 ascitic tumor burdened mice and its mechanism of anti-tumor. METHODS: The mice model of Sarcoma 180 ascitic tumor were established and divided into five groups randomly, including the model group with normal saline solution, the positive group with 10 mg/kg cytoxan and PSE treated groups at doses of 2.0 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg intraperitoneally for 10 days. The level of serum cytokine Th1 (IL-2, IL-12, IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha) and Th2 (IL-6, IL-10) were measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA assay. RESULTS: Compared with model group of Sarcoma 180 ascitic tumor burdened mice,the level of IL-2 and IFN-gamma increased in PSE 2.0 g/kg group, but the IL-6 and IL-10 decreased in PSE 2.0 g/kg and 1.0 mg/kg groups. CONCLUSION: PSE has anti-tumor effect in vivo that could be related to the level variation of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-6 and IL-10 in tumor burdened mice.

[Effects of Patrinia scabra bunge macroporous adsorptive resins extracts on erythrocyte immune function in tumor bearing mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the erythrocyte immuno-regulatory effect of Patrinia scabra Bunge extracts extracted by macroporous adsorptive resins in tumor bearing mice. METHODS: Patrinia scabra Bunge was extracted by macroporous adsorptive resins, and the amount of polysaccharides and saponins in the extract were determined. Mice bearing S180 tumor were treated with the extract and their survival prolongation rate, erythrocyte rosette formation rates of C3b receptor (ERR-CR), immune complex (ERR-IC) and tumor cell (ERR-TC), as well as the CD35 and CD44s were observed. RESULTS: Polysaccharide content was 21.4%, saponin 41.8% in the extract. As compared with the model group, the survival rate was increased, the erythrocyte immune function was improved (showed increase of ERR-CR and ERR-TC, decrease of ERR-IC), and the amount of CD35 and CD44s in red blood cell membrane increased in mice after being treated with the extract (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Extract of Patrinia scabra Bunge extracted by macroporous adsorptive resins can regulate the erythrocyte immune function to a certain extent.

[Studies on extraction process optimization of patrinia scabra Bunge saponins].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the conditions for the extraction of Patrinia scabra Bunge saponins. METHODS: Orthogonal experimental design and ultrasonic method were employed to examine the conditions for the extraction by determination of saponins. RESULTS: The optimun condition for the extraction of Patrinia scabra Bunge saponins was as follows: 65% ethanol for 40 minutes, 55 degrees C and 210 watt of ultrasonic efficinecy. CONCLUSION: The extraction method of Patrinia scabra Bunge sponins is simple and efficient.

Effects of body-resistance strengthening and tumor-suppressing granules on immune adhesion function of red blood cells and expression of metastasis protein CD44 in tumor cells of patients with esophageal carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate the effects of Fuzheng Yiliu granules (body-resistance strengthening and tumor-suppressing granules) in patients with esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: We compared the immune adherent properties of red blood cells (RBCs), the expression of metastasis protein CD44, and the metastasis inhibition factor nm23, in esophageal carcinoma tumor cells of patients before and after radiotherapy in the presence and absence of orally administered Fuzheng Yiliu granules. Sixty-three hospitalized patients with esophageal carcinoma were treated with standard radiotherapy and randomly divided into treatment group (n = 30) treated with both radiotherapy and Fuzheng Yiliu granules and control group (n = 33) given radiotherapy only. Blood samples and tumor tissue were obtained before and after 21 d of treatment. The rosette rates for complement receptor type 3b (C3bRR) and immune complex receptor (ICRR) on RBCs were measured by erythrocyte immunological methods. Expression of CD44 and nm23 in tumor tissue sections was determined by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies CD44v6 ad nm23H-1, respectively. RESULTS: The positivity of RBC-C3bRR before and after 21 d of treatment increased from 7.78% +/- 1.59% to 10.03% +/- 2.01% in the double treatment group, while it changed only slightly from 7.18% +/- 1.29% to 7.46% +/- 1.12% in the radiotherapy group. The positive rate for RBC-ICRR decreased from 37.68% +/- 2.51% to 22.55% +/- 1.65% after the double treatment, and from 37.28% +/- 2.41% to 24.69% +/- 1.91% in radiotherapy group at the same time points. The difference in erythrocyte immune adherent function between the two groups was significant (P < 0.01, t-test). The CD44(+)-cases were reduced from 21 (70.00%) to 12 (40.00%) after treatment with Fuzheng Yiliu granules, whereas the CD44(+)-cases (69.70%) in the radiotherapy group remained unchanged. The difference between the treatment (40.00%) and control (69.70%) groups was significant (P < 0.05). Although the nm23(+)-cases were increased from 4 (13.33%) to 6 (20.00%) in the double treatment group and from 6 (18.18%) to 7 (21.21%) in the radiotherapy group, the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fuzheng Yiliu granules enhance the immune adhesion function of RBCs and reduce the number of CD44(+)-cells in esophageal carcinoma patients, suggesting a potential role of these Chinese herbals in suppression of invasion and metastasis of malignant cells. However, this anti-metastatic effect has yet to be validated in vivo.

[Effect of Fuzheng Yiliu Granule contained-serum from tumor bearing mice on apoptotic rate, free radicals content and mitochondrial membrane potential of hepatoma cell lines H22 in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of traditional Chinese herbs Fuzheng Yiliu Granule (FYG)-contained serum from tumor bearing mice on apoptotic rate, free radicals content and mitochondrial membrane potential of hepatoma cell lines H22 in vitro. METHODS: The effect of FYG drug-serum on apoptosis of hepatoma cell line H22 was determined using flow cytometry. The changes of DNA RNA, free radicals and mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m) in H22 cell were detected through laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS: FYG-contained serum can induce the apoptosis of H22 cell, enhance the free radicals content, and reduce the content of DNA RNA and delta psi m of H22 cell in vitro. CONCLUSION: The apoptosis of hepatoma cell line H22 induced by FYG is probably correlated to the change of free radicals content and delta psi m.