Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) induces apoptosis in HT-29 colon cancer cell in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in vivo

Qing Liu,Christine Miungan Yow,Stephen Chowing Sze,Lam Lam,Yao Tong,Wing Keung Liu,Ellie Shihngmeir Chu

doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-25

Qing Liu, Christine Miungan Yow + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1749-8546-5-25

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Abstract

BackgroundTian Xian Liquid (TXL) is a Chinese medicine decoction and has been used as an anticancer dietary supplement. The present study aims to investigate the effects of TXL on the apoptosis of HT-29 cells and tumor growth in vivo.MethodHT-29 colon cancer cells were treated with gradient dilution of TXL. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by JC-1 assay. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondrial and apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, 9 were examined by Western blot analysis. HT-29 cells were implanted in nude mice to examine the effects of TXL on tumor growth.ResultTXL inhibited HT-29 xenografted model and showed a strong and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HT-29 cells. Mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced by TXL at the concentration of 0.5% above. For Western blot analysis, an increase in Bax expression and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression were observed in TXL-treated cells. TXL treatment increased the protein level of cleaved casepase-3 and caspase-9, and the release of cytochrome c in cytoplasm was up-regulated as well.ConclusionTXL significantly inhibits cell proliferation in the HT-29 cells and HT-29 xenografted model via the mitochondrial cell death pathway.

Highlights

Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) is a Chinese medicine decoction and has been used as an anticancer dietary supplement
Anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of TXL on HT-29 cells To investigate the anti-proliferative effects of TXL on HT-29 cells, we treated the HT-29 cells with TXL in a gradient of doses (0.25-5%) and cell proliferation after two days was assessed with the MTT assay in triplicates
Effects of TXL on cell nuclear morphology Nuclear staining with 4’ 6-diamidino 2-phenylindole (DAPI) was used to determine apoptosis-inducing activity of TXL in HT-29 cells

Summary

Introduction

Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) is a Chinese medicine decoction and has been used as an anticancer dietary supplement. The present study aims to investigate the effects of TXL on the apoptosis of HT-29 cells and tumor growth in vivo. Much progress has been achieved in alternative medicine [2] such as Chinese medicine. Most methods of chemotherapy for cancer induce cancer cell apoptosis. Excessive apoptosis causes hypotrophy such as ischemic damage whereas insufficient apoptosis leads to uncontrolled cell proliferation such as cancer [3]. Chemotherapeutic agents may cause mitochondrial dysfunction leading to depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) [4], triggering the caspases cascade by releasing several caspase activators. Cytochrome c activates caspases by forming a complex with Apaf-1 and

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