RESUMO
Traditional Chinese medication is increasingly used to treat a wide range of human chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases and cancers. This study was designed to explore whether ka-sai-ping (KSP), a novel traditional Chinese medicine developed by us, prevents gastric cancer growths and to investigate the underlying mechanism. The xenograft model of mouse gastric cancer was established by injecting MFCs into nude mouse subcutaneously. Cell autophagy was assessed by MDC staining. Lysosome and mitochondria were detected by Lyso-Tracker Red and Mito-Traker Green staining. Incubation of cultured mouse gastric cancer cell line MFCs with KSP for 48 hours, concentration-dependently reduced cell survivals and activated autophagy, which were accompanied with damaged lysosomes and mitochondria. In vivo studies indicated that KSP therapy (20 ml/kg/day) for two weeks suppressed the growth of gastric cancer, increased the protein levels of LC3-II, beclin-1, cathepsin L, bcl-2, p53, and capase-3 in tumor tissues from the xenograft model of mouse gastric cancer. Importantly, all these effects induced by KSP were abolished by co-administration of autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. In conclusion, KSP activates cell autophagy to suppress gastric cancer growths. Clinically, KSP is potentially considered as a medicine to treat patients with gastric cancer.
RESUMO
The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Xin Mai Jia (XMJ) on atherosclerosis (AS) in rabbits and to explore the underlying mechanisms in order to provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of XMJ. An intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D3, combined with a high-fat diet and sacculus injury, was utilized to establish the AS rabbit model. Following the oral administration of lovastatin, Zhibituo and different dosages of XMJ, respectively, blood was drawn from each rabbit for the detection of blood rheological indicators, such as serum lipids. The pathological changes in the right common carotid artery were observed. Vascular function experiments and the expression detection of common carotid artery-related proteins by immunohistochemistry were conducted. XMJ was observed to decrease the blood lipid levels of the AS rabbits; increase the concentration of high-density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein A; decrease blood viscosity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit; elevate the levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Na+/H+ exchanger 1 in vascular tissues and decrease the levels of angiotensin II receptor, type 1 (AT-1) and endothelin-1 (ET-1). In conclusion, XMJ was shown to lower the blood lipid levels of the experimental AS rabbits, improve the abnormal changes in hemorheology, increase the eNOS content in the vascular tissue, decrease the AT-1 and ET-1 levels and increase the endothelium-dependent vasodilation reaction. XMJ therefore has an anti-AS effect.
