Effects of Radix notoginseng extracts drug-containing serum on expressions of bcl-2, Bax and p21WAF1 proteins in MNNG transformed GES-1 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Radix notoginseng extracts drug-containing serum on the expressions of apoptosis-regulating proteins including Bax, bcl-2 and p21WAF1 in precancerous gastric cells. METHODS: The N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine (MNNG) transformed eternalized human gastric mucosa epithelium GES-1 cell line (MC cell) was used in vitro as a model of gastric precancerous lesion. The medicated canine serum was prepared by feeding to the adult Beagle dog with Radix notoginseng extracts and obtaining the serum after 2-hour medication. MC cells were cultured with medicated canine serum (medicated serum group) or non-medicated canine serum (normal control group) for 72 hours. Expressions of Bax, bcl-2 and p21WAF1 proteins were detected by immunocytochemical assay and the average optical density of the cells was determined by an image analysis system. RESULTS: Compared with those of the normal control group, Bax and p21WAF1 expressions in medicated serum group were significantly enhanced (P<0.01), while the expression of bcl-2 was significantly reduced (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Radix notoginseng extracts may inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of precancerous gastric cells through altering expressions of the bcl-2, Bax and p21WAF1 genes.