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Smilax china L. rhizome extract inhibits nuclear factor-κB and induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells

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Abstract

Objective

To study the antitumor effects and associated mechanisms of extract of the Smilax china L. rhizome (SCR) on ovarian cancer cells.

Methods

Ovarian cancer cells A2780 were treated with different concentrations of SCR extract (SCRE), and compared with controls. Effects on cell growth were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay; proliferation effects by EdU incorporation assay; cell cycle by propidium iodide staining; apoptosis by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide; cellular distribution of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by immunofluorescence; protein levels of NF-κB, caspase-3, poly-adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cellular inhibitor of apoptosis (cIAP)-1, anti-X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-XL), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and AKT by Western blotting; and effects of SCRE combined with cisplatin or adriamycin on A2780 cells by CCK-8 assay.

Results

SCRE suppressed A2780 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05,P<0.01), arrested cells in G2/M phase and induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3, PARP and Bax. SCRE treatment also correlated with inhibition of NF-κB and downregulation of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, cIAP-1, XIAP and AKT. SCRE can promote chemosensitivity to cisplatin and adriamycin in A2780 cells (P<0.01).

Conclusion

SCR effectively inhibits NF-κB, induces apoptosis and reduces chemoresistance to cisplatin and adriamycin in ovarian cancer cells, which might be its molecular basis for treating ovarian cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang Hubei Province, 443003, China

    Li-ling Hu  (胡丽玲) & Yan-yan Wang  (王燕燕)

  2. Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China

    Li-ling Hu  (胡丽玲), Dong-sheng Chen  (陈东生), Pu Huang  (黄 璞), Li-xiu Yu  (于丽秀), Jing Liao  (廖 婧) & Xiao-li Hua  (华小黎)

  3. Department of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China

    You Qin  (秦 铀)

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  1. Li-ling Hu  (胡丽玲)
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Correspondence to Dong-sheng Chen  (陈东生).

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Hu, Ll., Chen, Ds., Wang, Yy. et al. Smilax china L. rhizome extract inhibits nuclear factor-κB and induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 21, 907–915 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1788-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1788-9

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