Inhibition of Proliferation of Prostate Cancer Cell Line DU-145 in vitro and in vivo Using Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge

Objective:To investigate the antiproliferative activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.(SM)on the castration-resistant prostate cancer(CRPC)cell line DU-145 in vitro and in vivo.Methods:Prostate cancer cell line(DU-145)and normal prostate cell line(RWPE-1)were treated with SM at different concentrations(3.125,12.5,25 and 50μg/mL)to investigate the antiproliferative effects.DNA laddering analysis was performed to investigate the apoptosis of DU-145 cells.Molecular mechanism was investigated by Western blot analysis of p53,Bcl-2,prostate specific antigen(PSA),and androgen receptor(AR).Six-week-old male BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into normal control group(n=101)and treated group(n=101)which administered 500 mg/kg SM for 2 weeks.Tumor volumes were measured.Results:Treatment with SM resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in cell number of DU-145 cells in comparison with RWPE-1.DNA laddering analysis indicated the apoptosis of DU-145 cells.Treatment with SM increased the expression of p53 and reduced the expression of Bcl-2 proteins.The levels of PSA were considerably reduced in SM-treated group compared to the controls,and a decrease in AR expression was observed when cells were treated with SM in the same pattern as a reduction in PSA.In the tumour xenograft study,SM given once a day for 2 weeks significantly inhibited tumour growth.Conclusion:SM might contribute to the anticancer actions such as induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation of prostate cancer cells.