Study on regulating mechanisms of oxocrebanine obtained from Stephania hainanensis H.S.Lo et Y.Tsoong on microtubule sites and tubulin in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Objective:To determine the destructive ability of oxocrebanine,an anti-breast cancer active compound obtained from Stephania hainanensis H.S.Lo et Y.Tsoong,on microtubule network,and investigate the effect of oxocrebanine on microtubule network homeostasis at both molecular and cellular levels.Methods:the EBI site competition method and molecular docking method were used to determine the occupation of the microtubule site of oxocrebanine.Western Blot was used to detect the effect of oxocrebanine on microtubule-associated proteins including STAT3,PAK1,CAMK4,and PKA.Results:The results of EBI site competition assay showed that the binding of EBI toβ-Tubulin covalent fusions produced adducts that appeared in regions of lower molecular weight thanβ-tubulin(ctrl 2).Molecular docking results showed that oxocrebanine could occupy the colchicine site of microtubule proteins.As revealed by Western Blot,the expression of STAT3 protein was decreased after MCF-7 cells have been treated with low,medium,and high concentration of oxocrebanine or the positive drug taxol for 48 h(P<0.01).The expression levels of PAK1 and Camk4 proteins aslo showed significant reductions(P<0.05,or P<0.01).Oxocrebanine also decreased the PKA protein in MCF-7 cells compared to the control group(P<0.01).Conclusions:Oxocrebanine,a ligand that binds at the colchicine site of tubulin,perturbs tubulin polymerization and causes mitosis in MCF-7 cells,thus leading to MCF-7 cell death.Oxocrebanine may promote microtubule dynamics through stathmin by inhibiting the expression levels of STAT3,PAK1,Camk4,and PKA proteins in MCF-7 cells.Oxocrebanine interfers with spindle formation,and ultimately causes mitotic catastrophe in MCF-7 cells.

EFFECT OF CIS-9, TRANS-11-CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID ON CELL CYCLE OF MAMMARY ADENOCARCINOMA CELLS(MCF-7)

Objective: To determine the effect of cis-9, trans-1 1-conjugated linoleic acid on the cell cycle of mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) and the possible mechanism of the inhibitory effect of c9,t11-CLA. Methods: Using cell culture and immunocytochemical techniques, we examined the cell growth, DNA synthesis, expression of PCNA, cyclin A, B1, D1, p16ink4a and p21cip/waf1 of MCF-7 cells at various c9,t11-CLA concentrations (25μM, 50μM, 100μM and 200μM), at 24h and 48h. 96% ethand was used as negative control. Results: The cell growth and DNA synthesis of MCF-7 cells were inhibited by c9,t11-CLA. After treatment with various doses of c9,t11-CLA mentioned above for 8 days, the inhibition frequency was 27.18%, 35.43%, 91.05%, and 92.86%, respectively. Inhibitory effect of c9,t11-CLA on DNA synthesis (except for 25μM, 24h) was demonstrated by significantly less incorporation of 3H-TdR than the negative control (P<0.05 and P<0.01). To further investigate the influence of the cell cycle progression, we found that c9,t11-CLA may arrest the cell cycle of MCF-7 cells. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that incubation with different concentration of c9,t11-CLA at various times significantly decreased the expression of PCNA, Cyclin A, B1, D1 in MCF-7 cells compared to the negative control (P<0.01), whereas the expression of p16ink4a and p21cip/waf1, cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors (CDKI), were increased. Conclusions: The cell growth and proliferation of MCF-7 cells is inhibited by c9,t11-CLA via blocking cell cycle, accompanying reduced expression of cyclin A, B1, D1 and enhanced expression of CDKI (p16ink4a and p21cip/waf1).

Reversal of Multidrug Resistance by Neferine in Adriamycin Resistant Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7/ADM

Objective: To study the reversal effect of neferine on adriamycin (ADM) resistant human breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADM. Methods: The cytotoxic effect of Nef or ADM was determined by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2.-yl], 5-diphenyl tetraxolium bromid (MTT) assay. Apoptosis and the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The intracellular ADM concentration was measured by HPLC. Results: Nef at 1, 5, 10 mol/L decreased the IC50 of ADM to MCF-7/ADM from 11.63 g/mL to 4.59, 2.44, 0.27 g/mL respectively. MCF-7/ADM could resist the apoptosis induced by ADM while Nef (1-10 mol/L) could augment ADR-mediated apoptosis. Nef (10 mol/L) increased the accumulation of ADM up to 2.88 fold in MCF-7/ADM but not in sensitive cells MCF-7/S and reduced the expression of P-gp in MCF-7/ADM cells. Conclusion: Nef can circumvent multidrug resistance (MDR) of MCF-7/ADM cells and the mechanism was associated with the increase of intracellular accumulation of ADM and the reduced expression of P-gp in MCF-7/ADM cells.

<i>Vernonia amygdalina</i>—Induced Growth Arrest and Apoptosis of Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths of women in the United States. Fortunately, the mortality rate from breast cancer has decreased in recent years due to an increased emphasis on early detection and more effective treatments. Although great advancements have been made in the treatment and control of cancer progression, significant deficiencies and room for improvement remain. The central objective of this research was to further determine the in vitro mechanisms of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) leaf extracts as an anticancer candidate for the treatment of breast cancer. To achieve our objective, MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of VA for 24 hand 48 h. Cell viability, live and dead cells were determined by the means of trypan blue exclusion test. Live and dead cells were further evaluated by propidium iodine (PI) assay using the Cellometer Vision. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry assessment using annexin V/PI kit. Data obtained from the trypan blue test demonstrated that VA treatment reduces cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Result of the PI assay showed a gradual increase in the population of necrotic cells (fluorescence positive cells) in VA-treated cells compared to the control cells (fluorescence negative cells). Treatment of these cancer cells (MCF-7) for 48 h at concentrations ranging from 250 μg/mL to 1000 μg/mL caused early signs of apoptosis resulting from phosphatidylserine externalization as judged by annexin V assay. We observed a strong concentration-response relationship with regard to VA exposure and annexin V/PI positive cells. In summary, our finding demonstrates that VA-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells involve phosphatidylserine externalization accompanied by secondary necrotic cell death. With previous findings in our laboratory, the data generated in the present study confirms that VA is a valuable botanical therapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cell Spheroid Culture for Drug Discovery and Development

In vitro 3D cancer spheroids (tumoroids) exhibit a drug resistance profile similar to that found in solid tumors. 3D spheroid culture methods recreate more physiologically relevant microenvironments for cells. Therefore, these models are more appropriate for cancer drug screening. We have recently developed a protocol for MCF-7 cell spheroid culture, and used this method to test the effects of different types of drugs on this estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell spheroid. Our results demonstrated that MCF-7 cells can grow spheroid in medium using a low attachment plate. We managed to grow one spheroid in each well, and the spheroid can grow over a month, the size of the spheroid can grow over a hundred times in volume. Our targeted drug experimental results suggest that estrogen sulfotransferase, steroid sulfatase, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor may play critical roles in MCF-7 cell spheroid growth, while estrogen receptors α and β may not play an essential role in MCF-7 spheroid growth. Organoids are the miniatures of in vivo tissues and reiterate the in vivo microenvironment of a specific organ, best fit for the in vitro studies of diseases and drug development. Tumoroid, developed from cancer cell lines or patients’ tumor tissue, is the best in vitro model of in vivo tumors. 3D spheroid technology will be the best future method for drug development of cancers and other diseases. Our reported method can be developed clinically to develop personalized drugs when the patient’s tumor tissues are used to develop a spheroid culture for drug screening.

Hesperidin as a preventive resistance agent in MCF-7 breast cancer cells line resistance to doxorubicin

Objective:To evaluate of hesperidin to overcome resistance of doxorubicin in MCF-7 resistant doxorubicin cells(MCF-7/Dox)in cytotoxicity apoptosis and P-glycoprotein(Pgp)expression in combination with doxorubicin.Methods:The cytotoxic properties.50%inhibition concentration(IC_(50))and its combination with doxorubicin in MCF-7 cell lines resistant to doxorubicin(MCF-7/Dox)cells were determined using MTT assay.Apoptosis induction was examined by double staining assay using ethidium bromide-acridine orange.Immunocytochemistry assay was performed to determine the level and localization of Pgp.Results:Single treatment of hesperidin showed cytotoxic activity on MCF-7/Dox cells with IC_(50)value of 11μmol/L.Thus,combination treatment from hesperidin and doxorubicin showed addictive and antagonist effect(CI>1.0).Hesperidin did not increase the apoptotic induction,but decreased the Pgp expressions level when combined with doxorubicin in low concentration.Conclusions:Hesperidin has cytotoxic effect on MCF-7/Dox cells with IC_(50)of 11μmol/L.Hesperidin did not increased the apoptotic induction combined with doxorubicin.Cochemotherapy application of doxorubicin and hesperidin on MCF-7/Dox cells showed synergism effect through inhibition of Pgp expression.

Effects of Mitofusin-2 Gene on Cell Proliferation and Chemotherapy Sensitivity of MCF-7

In order to evaluate the effect of mitofusin-2 gene （mfn2） on proliferation and chemotherapy sensitivity of human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 in vitro, pEGFPmfn2 plasmid carrying full length of mitofusin-2 gene was transfected, by using sofast, into MCF-7 cells. Mitofusin-2 gene expression in MCF-7 cells transfected by sofast after 48 h was detected by PCR and Western blotting, and the stable expression of GFP protein in MCF-7 cells by Western blot analysis. The proliferation of MCF-7 cells was assayed by MTT and cell counting. By using PI method, the effects of mfn2 on the cell cycle distribution of MCF-7 were measured. Annexin-Ⅴ/PI double labeling method was employed to detect the changes in apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutics before and after transfection. The results showed that the MCF-7 cells transfected with mfn2 gene could stably and highly express GFP protein. MTT assay revealed that after transfection of mfn2 cDNA, the proliferation of MCF-7 cells was significantly inhibited. DNA histogram showed that cells arrested in S phase, and the percentage of S phase cells was 42.7, 17.2 and 19.6 in mfn2 cDNA transfection group, blank plasmid transfection group and blank control group, respectively （P〈0.05）. The apoptosis ratio of the cells transfected with mfn2 gene was increased from 3.56% to 15.95%, that of the cells treated with camptothecin （CAMP） followed by mfn2 gene transfection was 69.6%, and that in blank plasmid transfection group and blank control group was 31.0% and 23.4% respectively （P〈0.05）. It was suggested that transfection of mfn2 gene could significantly inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 cells and promote their sensitivity to CAMP with a synergic effect.

Fucoidan Induces G_1 Phase Arrest and Apoptosis through Caspases-dependent Pathway and ROS Induction in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells

Fucoidan is an active component of seaweed, which inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of several tumor cells while the detailed mechanisms underlying this process are still not clear. In this study, the effect of Fucoidan on the proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and the molecular mechanism of Fucoidan action were investigated. Viable cell number of MCF-7 cells was decreased by Fucoidan treatment in a dose-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay. Fucoidan treatment resulted in G1 phase arrest of MCF-7 cells as revealed by flow cytometry, which was associated with the decrease in the gene expression of cyclin D 1 and CDK-4. Annexin V/PI staining results showed that the number of apoptotic cells was associated with regulation of cytochrome C, cas- pase-8, Bax and Bcl-2 at transcriptional and translational levels. Both morphologic observation and Hoechst 33258 assay results confirmed the pro-apoptotic effect of Fucoidan. Meanwhile, the ROS pro- duction was also increased by Fucoidan treatment, which suggested that Fucoidan induced oxidative damage in MCF-7 cells. The results of present study demonstrated that Fucoidan could induce GI phase arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis-related genes or proteins expression, and ROS generation is also involved in these processes.

Triterpenoid of avocado (Persea americana) seed and its cytotoxic activity toward breast MCF-7 and liver HepG2 cancer cells

Objective:To determine the structure of triterpenoid isolated from avocado seeds and the cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and Hep G2 cells.Methods:The powder sample was macerated with ethanol,followed with separation of the extract by column chromatography.The target compound was monitored on thin layer chromatography plate and reagent Lieberman–Buchard.The isolated compound was characterized by spectral analysis,mainly ultraviolet,infrared,and liquid chromatographymass spectroscopy and their spectroscopic data with those reported in literature were compared.In vitro cytotoxic activity was investigated against Vero,MCF-7,and Hep G2 cell lines using MTT assay.Results:A triterpenoid compound was isolated from ethanol extract.The extracts,fraction(F3),and the isolated compound showed a significant cytotoxic activity against all investigated cell lines.MTT assay showed that the triterpenoid isolate inhibited cell proliferation of MCF-7 and Hep G2 cell line with the IC50 values of 62 mg/m L and 12 mg/m L,respectively,and was safe to normal cells.Conclusions:The results of the present study reveal that triterpenoid from avocado seeds have the potential for further development as anticancer agents.

Dietary Daidzein Enhances Antiapoptotic Effect of 17β-Estradiol (E_2) on Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells

Objective： To investigate whether dietary daidzein interact with endogenous 17β-Estradiol （E2） to give rise to additive or inhibitory effects on proliferation and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Methods： Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction were analyzed by using flow cytometry when breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 were cotreated with daidzein （1, 5 μmol/L） and E2 （0.1-10 nmol/L） for 5 days. Whether daidzein could alter E2-modulated mRNA expression of estrogen receptor alpha （ERα）, estrogen receptor beta （ERI3） and ERβ-estrogen response element （ERE） dependent transcription was investigated by RT-PCR and luciferase induction assays. The effects of daidzein on E2-modulated expression of proapoptotic p53, bax and antiapoptotic bcl-2 at both mRNA and protein levels were also investigated by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results： Daidzein enhanced the antiapoptotic effect in an Ea dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on E2-induced proliferation. Daidzein antagonized E2-induced ERβ mRNA expression and ERβ-ERE dependent transcription. In addition, daidzein only antagonized E2-upregulated expression of p53 and bax, but had no effect on E2-upregulated expression of bcl-2. Conclusion： Daidzein enhances the antiapoptotic effect of E2 on breast cancer cells by inhibiting E2-mediated p53-bax proapoptotic pathway. These results suggest that dietary daidzein may enhance deleterious effect of endogenous E2 in hormone-dependent breast cancer.

Investigation of anticancer effect of Xanthoceraside in vitro and the mechanism of Xanthoceraside-induced human breast cancer MCF-7 cell death

Objective To investigate the anticancer effect of xanthoceraside in vitro and the possible mechanisms involved in the potent antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer MCF-7 cell.Methods The inhibition rate of different tumor cells and human peripheral blood lymphocyte cells was investigated by MTT assay.AO/EB double fluorescent dye staining was used to investigate the morphology changes of MCF-7.The DNA agarose gel electrophoresis was further used to observe the DNA Fragmentation.Flow cytometry was employed to investigate the volume changes,the cell cycle distribution and the mitochondrial membrane potential of MCF-7.The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine(NAC)was chosen to detect the influence on oxidant-stress system of MCF-7 cells.Necrostatin-1 was next chosen to detect the influence on antiproliferative effect of xanthoceraside-treated MCF-7 cells.Results Xanthoceraside could inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells significantly in a dose-dependent manner and it has no cytotoxic effects on human peripheral blood lymphocyte cells in vitro.Cytoplasm vacuole was observed but no significant condense of nuclear chromatin was found,meanwhile,MCF-7 cells were bigger and smear was observed by agarose gel electrophoresis after MCF-7 cells were exposed to xanthoceraside.The cell cycle distribution of MCF-7 was greatly changed after exposure to xanthoceraside with an obvious G1 arrest.The mitochondrial membrane potential showed significant decrease.NAC attenuate the antiproliferative effect of xanthoceraside-treated MCF-7 cells but necrostatin-1 had no effects.Conclusions Xanthoceraside-induced necrosis might be dependent of mitochondria,meanwhile reactive oxygen species(ROS)participated in it.The xanthoceraside-induced MCF-7 cell death might not be the cell necrosis which initiated by Fas/TNFR and must be through RIP1 kinase.

A Variant of Human Estrogen Receptor-α,hER-α36 Weakens Docetaxel Drug Efficacy against Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7

Objective： hER-α36 is a variant of estrogen receptor-a, identified and cloned by a team of American. This research is to determine whether hER-α36 can enhance or weaken chemosensitivity to docetaxel in breast cancer cell line MCF-7（ERα66 positive）. Methods： RT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of ERα66 and ERa36 in the two human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7（MCF-7/ERα66） and MCF-7 transfected with ERa36（MCF-7/ERα36）. The two cell lines were treated with docetaxel（0-100umol/L）, and cell growth and apoptosis were evaluated using MTT （3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl）-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide） assay （using adriamycin （0-50umol/L） as the control） and flowcytometry. Western blot analysis was used to measure the effect of docetaxel on phosphor-ERKl/2 expression in the two cell lines. Results： The expressions of ERct36 and ERα66 were detectable in both MCF-7/ERα66 and MCF-7/ERα36 cell lines, while the expression of ERα36 in MCF-7/ER36 cells was higher. Both docetaxel and adriamycin inhibited the proliferation of both cells lines in a dose and time dependent manner. In comparison with MCF-7/ERα36 cell line, the MCF-7/ERα66 cells produced greater growth inhibition and apoptosis after treatment with docetaxel, but there was no significant difference in growth inhibition between the two cell lines treated with adriamycin; The MCF-7/ERα36 cell line resulted in a significant activation （phosphorylation） of ERK1/2 after treatment with docetaxel in a dose-dependent manner, but in the MCF-7/ERα66 cell line , a decrease in the level of phosphor- ERK1/2 expression was observed as the dose of docetaxel increased. Conclusion： ERa36 may be an agent that weakens chemosensitivity to docetaxel in breast cancer, probably by activating the expression of ERKI/2.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of Antitumor Potential in MCF-7 Cells of Ruthenium-Derived Compounds

To synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antitumor potential derived from ruthenium compounds was generated in this study, from the precursor K[RuCl4(bipy)] a route in a simple and reproducible synthesis for a novel compound of coordinating Ru+3 with bipy and L-trip. The spectroscopic characterization in the middle infrared region (FTIR) shows the interactions between Ru-(L-trip), evidenced by the displacement of the carboxylate ion band for higher energies, and also by the displacements of aliphatic amine bands, suggesting that bidentate coordination of the L-trip ligand occurred. Analysis of the results obtained with thermoanalytical techniques showed that the minimum formula of the compound, [RuCl2(bipy)(L-trip)]1/2H2O. Evaluation of the antitumor potential of precursor K[RuCl4(bipy)] showed the toxic effects on MCF-7 cell line, but did not show selectivity and not reached PBMC cells to the same extent. The evaluation of the antitumor potential of the newly synthesized compound, [RuCl2(bipy)(L-trip)], demonstrated that the insertion of an L-tryptophan molecule into the precursor coordination sphere made it selective when compared to PBMC cells, for MCF-7 type tumor cells.

Bioprinting-Based High-Throughput Fabrication of Three-Dimensional MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cellular Spheroids

Cellular spheroids serving as three-dimensional(3D) in vitro tissue models have attracted increasing interest for pathological study and drug-screening applications. Various methods, including microwells in particular, have been developed for engineering cellular spheroids. However, these methods usually suffer from either destructive molding operations or cell loss and non-uniform cell distribution among the wells due to two-step molding and cell seeding. We have developed a facile method that utilizes cellembedded hydrogel arrays as templates for concave well fabrication and in situ MCF-7 cellular spheroid formation on a chip. A custom-built bioprinting system was applied for the fabrication of sacrificial gelatin arrays and sequentially concave wells in a high-throughput, flexible, and controlled manner. The ability to achieve in situ cell seeding for cellular spheroid construction was demonstrated with the advantage of uniform cell seeding and the potential for programmed fabrication of tissue models on chips. The developed method holds great potential for applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug screening.

QCM Detection of Adhesion, Spreading and Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer Cells (MCF-7) on a Gold Surface

The quartz crystal microbalance （QCM） was used to monitor the one-day incubation of human breast cancer cells （MCF-7） on the gold electrode. In combination with an optical microscope simulation experiment, the cell-population pictures at various stages, the QCM responses to the cells＇ adhesion, spreading and proliferation on the electrode surface were discussed. The △f0 and △R1 responses were found mainly from mixed effects of viscodensity and surface stress, and in proportion to the cell coverage, rather than to the number of cells at the electrode. The significant fore-and-aft changes in cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the ferri-ferrocyanide redox couple also proved that the cells were adhesion to the gold surface.

Doxorubicin Induces Apoptosis through down Regulation of miR-21 Expression and Increases miR-21 Target Gene Expression in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

miRNAs play an important regulatory role in variety of cellular functions and several diseases, including cancer. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is overexpressed in almost all types of human cancers. Studies revealed that the knockdown of miR-21 results in reduced tumor cell growth, cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of doxorubicin on miR-21 expression in mcf-7 breast cancer cells. miRNA was extracted from mcf-7 cells treated with doxorubicin and untreated cells using miRNeasy Kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. cDNA synthesis was performed using miScript II RT Kit (Qiagen) and Real Time-PCR was performed using Real Q Plus 2x Master Mix Green-(Ampliqon, Denmark). The relative expression of miR-16 and miR-21 was calculated using comparative Ct method. All tests were run in triplicate to minimize the experimental errors. Samples with a Ct > 37 were excluded from the analysis. Statistically, a significant decrease in cell proliferation of mcf-7 cells was found in doxorubicin group compared with control groups 24 hours after transfection, dose dependently (p value< 0.001). After 24 hours, Doxorubicin (100 μm) significantly decreased miR-21 expression in mcf-7 cells (p = 0.0001). Also, the expression of caspase 9 significantly increased after Doxorubicin (100 μm) treatment (p = 0.0003). Together, these findings indicate that miR-21 plays a key role in regulating cell apoptosis in mcf-7 cells and may serve as a target for effective therapies.

Cytotoxic Activity of <i>Thelesperma megapotamicum</i>Organic Fractions against MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cell Line

Thelesperma megapotamicum (Asteraceae) is commonly used in Argentine to treat various diseases (renal, digestive affections, and as anaesthesia). The present study showed the mechanisms involved “in vitro” cytotoxicity of T. megapotamicum Fractions. Five Fractions (F1 - F5) were separated by column chromatography (Silica gel) using hexane:diethyl ether as eluents. Viability was evaluated in Human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) by staining with crystal violet. With respect to F1 Fraction treatment, the cell survival was 49.14% ± 8.87%, while the F2 and F3 ones exhibited a strong reduction of cell viability to only 26.35% ± 1.63% and 23.3%1 ± 0.53% of the control cell at 50 μg/ml, respectively. Apoptotic effect of these Fractions was detected using FITC-labeled Annexin V and propidium iodide binding assays and was confirmed by a higher proportion of apoptotic cells due to F2 and F3 treatments. T. megapotamicum active Fractions could facilitate the tumoral cells death by decreasing the activity of the enzyme Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and causing alteration in cell membrane sialoglycoconjugates and others involved anticancer mechanisms including apoptosis.

The activity of <i>Rhaphidophora pinnta</i>Lf. Schott leaf on MCF-7 cell line

Ekor naga’s leaf (Rhaphidophora pinnata (Lf) Schott) is a type of vines and climbing plant. The leaves are elongated round and hollowed inside. This plant had been using for the treatment of breast cancer. Extraction with percolation method has been done in ekor naga’s leaves with ethanol, and fractionated by nhexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). Cytotoxicity assay of ethanol extract, n-hexane fraction, chloroform fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and water fraction against MCF-7 cells were done using MTT method (3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). Phytochemical screening results showed the presence of the compounds such as triterpenoida/steroid, alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, and saponin. n-hexane fraction was positive for the presence of triterpenoida/steroid, chloroform fraction containing alkaloids, saponin and triterpenoid;ethyl acetate fraction contained, flavonoid, tannin, and the fraction of water indicated the presence of tannin and saponin. Secondary metabolite compounds in ethanol extract, chloroform fraction and ethyl acetate fraction gave positive results against MCF-7 cells. Cytotoxicity assay of MCF-7 cell line showed that crude ethanol extracts had 112.240 mcg/ml IC50 chloroform fraction IC50 was 59.082 mcg/ml, and ethyl acetate fraction IC50 was 812.663 mcg/ml.

Acid Water-ground Nano-realgar Is Superior to Crude Realgar in Promoting Apoptosis of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Objective:Realgar is a traditional mineral Chinese medicine with antitumor effects,but it has high toxicity and low efficacy in its crude form.The purpose of this study was to optimize realgar to increase its efficacy and therapeutic potential.Methods:Crude realgar(CR)was mechanically ground to obtain nano-realgar(NR),and then nano-realgar processed products(NRPPs)were obtained using three different traditional Chinese medicine processing methods:grinding in water,acid water,and alkali water,respectively.Results:By analyzing the size distribution of nanoparticles and the content of arsenic trioxide(As_(2)O_(3);ATO),we found that acid water-ground NRPPs had the characteristics of high purity and low toxicity.The effects of CR,NR,and NRPPs on proliferation,cell cycle,and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells were detected,and the ability of NRPPs to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was analyzed.The results showed that the average particle size of acid water-ground NRPPs was 137.7 nm,and the content of ATO was 2.83 mg/g.Acid water-ground NRPPs showed better effects on inhibiting proliferation,cell cycle,and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells than CR and NR.Western blot assays further confirmed that acid water-ground NRPPs upregulated the protein expression of TP53,Bax,cytochrome c,caspase-9,and caspase-3 in MCF-7 cells(P<0.05)and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2(P<0.05).Conclusion:These results suggest that acid water-ground NRPPs can induce apoptosis of MCF-7 cells through regulating mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis,providing evidence for the clinical application of realgar.

REVERSION OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE IN THE P-GLYCOPROTEIN POSITIVE BREAST CANCER CELL LINE(MCF-7/ADR) BY INTRODUCTION OF HAMMERHEAD RIBOZYME

A hammerhead ribozyme which site-specifically cleaved the GUC position in canon 880 of the mdr1 mRNA was designed. The target site was chosen between the two ATP binding sites, which may be important for the function of the P-Gp as an ATP-dependent pump. A DNA sequence encoding the ribozyme gene was then incorporated into a eukaryotic expression vector (pH Apr-1 neo) and transfected into the breast cancer cell line MCF-7/Adr, which is resistant to adriamycin and expresses the MDR phenotype. The ribozyme was stably expressed in the cell line by the RNA dot blotting assay. The result of Northern blot assay showed that the expressed ribozyme could decrease the level of mdrl mRNA expression by 83. 5 %; and the expressed ribozyme could inhibite the formation of p-glycoprotein detected by immuno- cy-tochemistry assay and could reduce the cell’s resistance to adrimycin; this means that the resistant cells were 1 000-fold more resistant than the parental cell line(MCF-7), whereas those cell clones that showed ribozyme expression were only 6-fold more resistant than the parental cell line. These results show that a potentially useful tool is at hand which may inactivate MDR1 mRNA and revert the multidrug resistance phenotype.