Abstract
Abstract The present study investigated the extraction and purification technology of matrine from Sophora flavescens Ait. and the inhibitory effects of matrine on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) CNE-2 cells. The matrine was extracted from Sophora flavescens Ait. by decocting using ethanol-aqueous solution as the solvent, followed by purification using ion exchange resin adsorption. The extraction and purification conditions were investigated. The effects of matrine on growth, cell apoptosis and cycle of CNE-2 cells and expressions of Bac-2 and caspase-3 protein in cells were detected. Results showed that, the optimal extraction and purification technologies of matrine from Sophora flavescens Ait. were obtained, under which the purity of matrine was 81.56%. Matrine could obtain inhibit the growth of CNE-2 cells, promote the cell apoptosis, and arrest most cells in G0/G1 phase. In addition, after treated matrine, the relative expression level of Bcl-2 protein in CNE-2 cells was decreased, and the expression level of Caspase-3 protein was increased. In conclusion, matrine has inhibitory effects on human NPC CNE-2 cells. The mechanism may be related to its down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein and up-regulation of Caspase-3 protein expression.
Highlights
Sophora flavescens Ait. is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine
This study investigated the extraction and purification technology of matrine from Sophora flavescens Ait. and the inhibitory effects of matrine on human Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) CNE-2 cells and the mechanism related to B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Caspase-3 protein expressions
The anti‐tumor mechanism of matrine can be summarized as follows: i) matrine can induce the differentiation of tumor cells and inhibit their proliferation in a certain extent; ii) matrine can promote the further apoptosis of tumor cells; iii) matrine can inhibit the adhesion of tumor cell and prevent the tumor cell invasion and metastasis; iv) matrine can reverse the tumor resistance, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, improve the life quality of patients, and prolong their survival time
Summary
Sophora flavescens Ait. is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine It has anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects (Zheng et al, 2013; He et al, 2015). Matrine is the main active ingredient of Sophora flavescens It is an important alkaloid, which has a high inhibitory rate on some tumor cells and transplanted tumors (Zhang et al, 2009; Liu et al, 2010). Seeking effective and less-toxic drugs has important significance for the treatment of NPC, and it is one of the focuses in clinical research. This study investigated the extraction and purification technology of matrine from Sophora flavescens Ait. and the inhibitory effects of matrine on human NPC CNE-2 cells and the mechanism related to Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 protein expressions.
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