Abstract
Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is frequently used by cancer patients in Chinese community. It remains largely unknown about the interaction between CHM and chemotherapeutic agents. Herein, we evaluated 3 commonly used CHM formulas for cancer patients: Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), Bao-Yuan-Tang (BYT), and Ju-Yuan-Jian (JYJ). We examined the effects of these 3 formulas in human gastric cancer cells MKN-74, in terms of cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction when used alone or in combination with mitomycin C (MMC). Cytotoxicity was determined by tetrazolium dye colorimetric assay. The 10% inhibitory concentration of CHM was used in this study. Cells were first exposed to CHM or phosphate buffered saline (as control) for 48 h. Then MMC at final concentration of 0.25 μg/ml was added to media for another 24-h. Among these 3 CHM formulas, BZYQT showed the most pronounced effect in augmenting MMC-induced cytotoxicity. The viability of MKN-74 cells was decreased to 43.1% when treated with BZYQT and MMC, compared to 94.9% with MMC alone. We subsequently examined apoptosis induction by quantitative florescent microscopy and single-strand DNA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and found BZYQT did not enhance MMC-induced apoptosis. Our findings indicate BZYQT in combination with MMC induces cell death in gastric cancer cells via non-apoptotic mechanism. Our results provide a rationale for further investigation in the interaction of CHM and anti-cancer treatment.
Highlights
There has been an increasing trend for cancer patients to take alternative medicine with standard treatment [1,2]
We investigated the effects of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on gastric cancer cells, and the interaction between CHM and mitomycin C (MMC) in terms of cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction on gastric cancer cells
Cytotoxic effect of CHM on MKN-74 cell At first, we studied the cytotoxic effect of 3 commonly used CHM formulas for cancer patients on MKN-74 cells
Summary
There has been an increasing trend for cancer patients to take alternative medicine with standard treatment [1,2]. Alternative medicine is used by many cancer patients with intentions to improve their health and decrease the side effects from anti-cancer treatment. Qi-invigorating herbs such as Ginseng, Astragalus, Glycyrrhiza and Atractylodes are commonly prescribed CHM for cancer patients in Chinese community during their cancer treatment [8,9]. In preclinical studies, these CHM have been shown to exhibit immunomodulatory effects, and in some instances even anti-cancer activity. These CHM have been shown to exhibit immunomodulatory effects, and in some instances even anti-cancer activity Patients are given these herbs in different combination
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
