Effect Of Oxymatrine Research Articles

The Study of Oxymatrine on Apoptosis of Human Carcinoma Cell Line MGC-803 by Flow Cytometry

Objective:To study the effect of oxymatrine on apoptosis of human carcinoma cell line MGC-803. Methods:Flow cytometry were conducted to investigate apoptosis rate and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein. Results: At the dose of oxymatrine were 1mg/ml,2mg/ml,the apoptosis rates in MGC-803 were higher than those of controls (p<0.05), the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased and Bax was increased significantly (p<0.05).Conclusion:Oxymatrine induces apoptosis in human carcinoma cell line MGC-803, its mechanism includes up-regulated expression of Bax and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2.

Effect of oxymatrine on JAK2 /STAT3 signaling in renal tissues of tats with septic shock

Effect of oxymatrine on JAK2 /STAT3 signaling in renal tissues of tats with septic shock

Effect of oxymatrine on apoptosis and regulatory mechanism in human non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells

Objective To investigate the effects of oxymatrine (OXY) on apoptosis and the regulatory mechanism in the human non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells.Methods A549 cells were cultured.Methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to determine cell proliferation.The apoptosis rate was detected by using flow cytometry.Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) and Western blotting were used to examine OXY mRNA and protein expression.Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK),C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK),p-ERK,p-JNK and p-p38MAPK protein expression levels were tested by using Western blotting.Results OXY could inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells.As compared with control group [(5.63 ±0.76)％],the apoptosis rate was increased [(13.26 ± 2.15)％] in OXY group (P ＜ 0.01).As compared with control group (1.02 ±0.27,0.23 ±0.04),B lymphocytes/leukemia-2 (bcl-2) associated X protein (bax) mRNA (1.61 ±0.19) and protein (0.71 ±0.10) expression levels were increased in OXY group (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01).As compared with control group (0.94 ± 0.14,0.64 ± 0.09),bcl-2 mRNA (0.42 ± 0.05) and protein (0.21 ± 0.04) expression levels were decreased in OXY group (P ＜0.01).As compared with control group (0.29 ± 0.03),the expression of p-JNK was significantly increased in OXY group (0.66 ±0.06) (P ＜0.01).bax expression (0.39 ±0.05) and p-JNK (0.26 ±0.04) were reduced,and bcl-2 expression (0.50 ± 0.08) was increased in OXY + SP600125 group as compared with those in OXY group (0.66 ± 0.07,0.28 ± 0.03 and 0.65 ± 0.08 respectively) (P ＜0.01).Conclusion OXY could induce apoptosis of A549 cells by up-regulating p-JNK pathway. Key words: Oxymatrine; Non-small cell lung carcinoma; Apoptosis; Phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase

English

Oxymatrine, one kind of alkaloids extracted from Sophora flavescens Ait, has been demonstrated to attenuate bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. The mechanisms of this action are poorly known. This study aimed to use proteomics to provide new insights into the mechanisms of the pharmacological effects. Proteins from murine lung fibroblasts exposed to oxymatrine were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Differentially expressed proteins were identified using mass spectrometry. A two-dimensional cell migration assay was used to study the effects of oxymatrine on fibroblast migration activity. Among these detectable protein spots on the 2-DE gel 9 protein, spots were signii¬cantly altered in oxymatrine treated cells. 5 proteins were successfully identii¬ed. All were down-regulated by oxymatrine. Mass spectrometer analysis indicated that one of these proteins is a metabolic enzyme, while others are related to cytoskeleton or involved in cellular transcription and translation. The attenuated expressions of mRNA and protein of the cytoskeleton-related protein, HSP27, were confirmed by Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis. Besides these, the migration activity of fibroblast was reduced by oxymatrine. It is suggested that regulation of HSP27 expression by oxymatrine is associated with its inhibitory effects on motility of lung fibroblasts, which contributes to the protective action of this drug against lung fibrosis. Key words: Oxymatrine, fibroblasts, proteomics, heat shock protein 27, motility.

Improvement of high-fructose-feeding-induced fatty liver by oxymatrine intervention

The effect of oxymatrine on high-fructose-feeding induced insulin resistance and liver steatosis in rats was observed and the underlying mechanism in improving the hepatic lipid metabolism was explored.The results demonstrated that high fructose feeding decreased the glucose tolerance and increased hepatic lipid accumulation in rats,while oxymatrine could improve glucose tolerance and alleviate hepatic steatosis in rats.High fructose feeding stimulated the protein expressions of key lipid-synthesis enzymes,which were decreased by oxymatrine intervention.Both high fructose feeding and oxymatrine intervention had no significant effect on protein expressions of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation enzymes. Key words: Oxymatrine ; Triglyceride ; Fatty liver

Effect of Oxymatrine on H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> Resistance in L<SUB>6</SUB> Rat Myoblast Cells*

Effect of Oxymatrine on H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> Resistance in L<SUB>6</SUB> Rat Myoblast Cells*

Effect of oxymatrine on hepatic gene expression profile in experimental liver fibrosis of rats

To investigate the effects of oxymatrine on hepatic gene expression profile in a rat model of liver fibrosis. Forty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, a normal group (n=8), a model group (n=16), and an oxymatrine treatment group (n=16). Experimental hepatic fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). The rats in the treatment group received oxymatrine via celiac injection at a dosage of 40 mg/kg once a day at the same time. The rats in the model and normal groups received saline at the same dosage via celiac injection. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), hyaluronic acid (HA), and laminin (LN) were assayed. The deposition of collagen was observed with HE and Masson staining. Effect of oxymatrine on hepatic gene expression profile was detected by oligonucleotide microarray analysis with Affymetrix gene chip rat U230A. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) was carried out to confirm the expression changes of six genes. Oxymatrine significantly improved liver function, lowered serum levels of HA and LN, and decreased the degree of liver fibrosis, compared with the model group (P<0.05). A total of 754 differentially expressed genes were identified by gene chip between the model group and the normal group, among which 438 genes increased and 316 genes decreased over two folds. Compared with the model group, 86 genes were downregulated markedly in the oxymatrine group (P<0.05), including collagen I and other genes related to extracellular material (ECM), integrin signal transduction genes, early growth response factor genes, and proinflammatory genes; 28 genes were upregulated significantly (P<0.05), including cytochrome P450 (CYP450) superfamily genes, glycolipids metabolism and biological transformation related genes. Six genes were confirmed with QRT-PCR, consistent with the result from microarray. Oxymatrine could affect the expression of many functional genes and may be useful in the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.

Protective effect of oxymatrine on chronic rat heart failure

Oxymatrine is one of the alkaloids extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora japonica (Sophora flavescens Ait.) with anti-inflammatory, immune reaction inhibiting, antiviral, and hepatocyte and antihepatic fibrosis protective activities. However, the effect of oxymatrine on heart failure is not yet known. In this study, the effect of oxymatrine on heart failure was investigated using a Sprague-Dawley rat model of chronic heart failure. Morphological findings showed that in the group treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg of oxymatrine; intermyofibrillar lysis disappeared, myofilaments were orderly, closely and evenly arranged; and mitochondria contained tightly packed cristae compared with the heart failure group. We investigated the cytosolic Ca(2+) transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content, and assessed the expression of ryanodine receptor (RyR2), SR-Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA2a), and L-type Ca(2+) channel (dihydropyridine receptor, DHPR). We found that the cytosolic Ca(2+) transients were markedly increased in amplitude in the medium- (ΔF/F (0) = 26.22 ± 2.01) and high-dose groups (ΔF/F (0) = 29.49 ± 1.17) compared to the heart failure group (ΔF/F (0) = 12.12 ± 1.35, P < 0.01), with changes paralleled by a significant increase in the SR Ca(2+) content (medium-dose group: ΔF/F (0) = 32.20 ± 1.67, high-dose group: ΔF/F (0) = 32.57 ± 1.29, HF: ΔF/F (0) = 17.26 ± 1.05, P < 0.01). Moreover, we demonstrated that the expression of SERCA2a and cardiac DHPR was significantly increased in the medium- and high-dose group compared with the heart failure rats. These findings suggest that oxymatrine could improve heart failure by improving the cardiac function and that this amelioration is associated with upregulation of SERCA2a and DHPR.

Protective effect of oxymatrine on myocardial fibrosis induced by acute myocardial infarction in rats involved in TGF-β1-Smads signal pathway

Oxymatrine (1), a component extracted from a traditional Chinese herb Sophora japonica (Sophora flavescens Ait.), has been demonstrated to have a variety of pharmacological actions. Abundant experimental evidence indicates that 1 may exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. This study was designed to explore the possible role of 1 against myocardial fibrosis induced by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and its modulation on transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-Smads signaling pathways. Rats with AMI induced by ligation of left anterior descending branch were randomly assigned to receive 1 50 and 25 mg/kg intragastrically, and model group which were further compared with sham-operated group, and positive group treated with captopril. The effects of 4-week therapy with 1 starting 24 h after infarction had been investigated based on (1) hemodynamics, (2) tissue weights, (3) biochemical indicator (hydroxyproline contents in left ventricle), and (4) TGF-β1, TGF-β1 receptor (TβR1), Smad3, Smad4, Smad7, Col1, and Col3 expression by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Treatment with 1 significantly ameliorated hemodynamics, inhibited the expression of TβR1 mRNA and Smad3 mRNA, and reduced the left ventricle weight/body weight. The results of this research indicated that 1 might protect against myocardial fibrosis and the mechanism may be involved in modulating TGF-β1-Smads signal pathway.

Effect of Oxymatrine Combined with Low Dose 5-FU on Lymphatic Vessel and Microvascular Endothelial Cell Growth of Gastric Cancer in a Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mouse Orthotopic Implantation Model

In this study, we explored the effect of Oxymatrine combined with low dose 5-Fu on lymphatic vessel and vascular endothelial growth factor of orthotopic implantated gastric cancer in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) nude mice. Human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was orthotopically implanted into the gastric tract of nude mice. Nude mice were treated with normal saline (control group), low dose 5-Fu, oxymatrine, oxymatrine combined with low dose 5-Fu using intraperitoneal injection. The expression of LVD, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGF-R-3 and their Ct were analyzed in a severe combined immunodeficient mouse orthotopic implantatation gastric cancer model. We found that oxymatrine combined with low dose 5-Fu could decrease LVD and inhibit VEGF expression by a synergistic effect in SCID nude mouse orthotopic implantatation gastric cancer model.

The protective effect of oxymatrine on the cardiac muscle in rats with septic shock

The protective effect of oxymatrine on the cardiac muscle in rats with septic shock

Oxymatrine Inhibits Development of Morphine-Induced Tolerance Associated With Decreased Expression of P-glycoprotein in Rats

The effect of oxymatrine on the development of tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of morphine was investigated in rats. The degree of tolerance was assessed using the tail-flick test before and after 6 days of twice daily administration of oxymatrine premorphine (10/20/30 mg/kg). High doses of oxymatrine inhibited the development of morphine tolerance (resembling the effect of 7.5 mg/kg of the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine) while also increasing the antinociceptive effects. A high dose of oxymatrine (30 mg/kg) also significantly inhibited the dramatic increase in expression of morphine-induced P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an ATP-dependent efflux pump acting at the blood-brain barrier, by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, these studies suggest that P-gp modulates the development of morphine tolerance while not affecting the magnitude of the analgesic effect of morphine. These results imply that oxymatrine prevention of the development of tolerance of morphine may be related to a considerable inhibition of P-gp expression. In contrast, the authors' data suggest that the mechanism of oxymatrine enhancement of morphine's analgesic effects is not associated with increase in the level of expression of P-gp. However, they believe that their findings can be used by researchers to develop therapies that will allow patients to take morphine without becoming tolerant of its benefits.

Effects of Oxymatrine from Ku Shen on Cancer Cells

Oxymatrine is one of active constituents isolated from Ku Shen, which is the dried root of Sophora flavescens Ait. The herb used in different herbal formulations is commonly known with specific pharmacological properties for treatment of liver disorders and other diseases such as arrhythmia, eczema and skin disorders, leukopenia and bronchitis. Sophora flavescens Ait is known to enhance liver functions and reduce hepatotoxicity due to oxidative stress and liver injury. The protection of cells from chemical toxicity is important in reducing liver damage. Reduction of oxidative stress by active components of herbal medicines is shown to be beneficial and important in regulating the normal functions of the liver. In this study, effects of oxymatrine on cancer cells after treatment of the cell line with DMSO were reported. This review described for cells without oxymatrine pre-treatment, cell injury was implicated as indicated by the decrease in cell viability. Ku Shen showed protective effects on cells from the DMSO-induced toxicity. The results show that oxymatrine can inhibit the G(2) and M phase of H4IIE. The findings suggest that anti-inflammatory constituents such as oxymatrine could mediate cell division of cancer cells and reduce cell cytotoxicity due probably to its capacity to inhibit the metabolic activation of hepato-toxin, a critical factor in the pathogenesis of chemical-induced liver injury.

Therapeutic efficacy of oxymatrine on chronic urticaria and its contribution to populations of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of patients.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of oxymatrine on chronic urticaria and its immune mechanism. Methods Totally, 69 patients were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups to receive treatment with oral mizolastine alone (mizolastine group), oral mizolastine and intramuscular oxymatrine (combination group), intramuscular oxymatrine alone (oxymatrine group), respectively. The dose of mizolastine and oxymatrine was 10 mg and 400 mg daily, respectively, and the treatment lasted 15 days. Efficacy was assessed according to pruritus intensity and number of erythema and wheals on day 7, 14, and 28 after the beginning of treatment. Venous blood was obtained from patients at the baseline, on day 14, 28 after the initiating of treatment and subjected to the detection of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell populations via three-color fluorescence flow cytometric analysis. Results The efficacy in combination and oxymatrine groups were significantly higher than that in mizolastine group (t = 49.18, P 0.05). The proportion of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood was significantly increased in patients treated with oxymatrine, compared with normal human controls and patients treated with mizolastine (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Oxymatrine has a marked effect on the treatment of chronic urticaria, likely by increasing the proportion of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of patients. Key words: Urticaria; Sophora flavescens; Therapy; CD4-positive T-iymphocytes

Attenuation of Bleomycin‐Induced Lung Fibrosis by Oxymatrine Is Associated with Regulation of Fibroblast Proliferation and Collagen Production in Primary Culture

There is no satisfactory treatment for pulmonary fibrosis, which is characterized by altered control of proliferation of mesenchymal fibroblasts and extracellular matrix production. Oxymatrine is an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora japonica (Sophora flavescens Ait.) with capacities of anti-inflammation, inhibition of immune reaction, antivirus, protection against acute lung injury and antihepatic fibrosis. In this study, the effect of oxymatrine on pulmonary fibrosis was investigated using a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model. The results showed that bleomycin challenge provoked severe pulmonary fibrosis with marked increase in hydroxyproline content of lung tissue and lung fibrosis fraction, which was prevented by oxymatrine in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, bleomycin injection resulted in a marked increase of myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde level that was attenuated by oxymatrine. Administration of oxymatrine inhibited the proliferation of murine lung fibroblasts, arrested the cells at G(0)/G(1) phase and reduced the expression of cell cycle regulatory protein, cyclin D1 in vitro. Furthermore, the steady-state production of collagen and the expression of alpha1(I) pro-collagen and alpha2(I) pro-collagen mRNA in fibroblasts were inhibited by oxymatrine in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that oxymatrine may attenuate pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice, partly through inhibition of inflammatory response and lipid peroxidation in lung induced by bleomycin and reduction of fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis.

Effects of Oxymatrine on the apoptosis of human esophageal carcinoma Eca109 cell line and its mechanism

The effects of Oxymatrine (Oxy) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human esophageal carcinoma Eca109 cell line and the mechanism were investigated. The human esophageal carcinoma Eca109 cells were cultured in vitro. The Oxy-induced apoptosis of Eca 109 cells was assayed by using flow cytometry. The expressions of p-ERK(1/2), Cyclin D1, p21(waf/cip1), Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blot. Flow cytometry revealed that Oxy could induce the apoptosis of Eca109 cells. Western blot showed that Oxy of different concentrations suppressed the expressions of p-ERK(1/2), Cyclin D1 and Bcl-2, but up-regulated the expression of p21(waf/cip1) and Bax, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was increased. It was suggested the Oxy could induce the apoptosis of Eca109 cells, which might be related to the upregulation of p21(waf/cip1) and the downregulation of p-ERK(1/2), Cyclin D1 and p21(waf/cip1). The possible pathway may be related to Bcl-2/Bax.

Observations on clinic curative effect of oxymatrine to cure hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)

To observe the curative effect of oxymatrine to cure hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Randomly divide 418 patients suffering from hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome into a treatment group and a control group, use oxymatrine to give an intravenous drip to the patients in the treatment group, one time a day, each time 600 mg, lasting for 7 days as one period of treatment and meanwhile take a traditional equilibrium salt treatment for the patients in the control group. Observe the change of the illness in both groups and occurrence of complications, dynamically test the magnitude of serum urination-regulated protein (THP) and beta(2) microglobulin (beta(2)M) of the patients, in the meantime observe the change in magnitude of serum white blood cell medium 15 (IL-15) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecules (sICAM-1). Shorten the course of the disease of the patients in the oxymatrine treatment group, make an improvement after the recovery and obviously reduce the magnitude of serum urination-regulated protein (THP) and beta(2) microglobulin and show a striking difference in magnitude of serum IL-15 and sICAM-1 after the treatment compared with that of the patients in the control group. Oxymatrine has a certainly true curative effect to hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and worth of furthering its widespread use in clinics.

Chemopreventive effect of oxymatrine on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine induced gastrointestinal cancer: experiment with rats

To investigate the chemopreventive effect of oxymatrine on the N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced gastrointestinal cancer. Ninety-nine male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups: MNNG treated group (36 rats, fed with MNNG for 28 weeks so as to establish rat model of gastrointestinal cancer), oxymatrine intervention group (n = 23, fed with MNNG and oxymatrine), negative control group (20 rats, fed with mixed feed), and oxymatrine control group (20 rats. fed with normal food and oxymatrine). 28 weeks later all the rats began to be fed with normal food for 4 weeks. two rats in the MNNG treated group were killed at the 28 th, 32 nd, and 40 th weeks of the experiment respectively to observe the tumor growth in the gastrointestinal tract. At the 44 th week all the rats were sacrificed and assessed for the presence of gastrointestinal tumor. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Ki67, an antigen associated to the proliferation of nucleus. The cell apoptosis rate in the tumor tissue was detected by TUNEL method. Experiment was completed in 92 rats (92.93%). The incidence of gastrointestinal tumor in the MNNG treated group was 58.62% (17/29), significantly higher than that in the oxymatrine treated group (30.43%, 7/23, P < 0.05). Duodenum tumor was found in 1 rat of the negative control group and no tumor was found in the oxymatrine control group. The average volume of tumor in the MNNG treated group was 2.56 (full range 49.5) cm(3), significantly larger than those of the oxymatrine treated group [0.03 (full range 0.009) cm(3)], and negative control group (0.5 cm(3)) (both P < 0.05). The incidence rates of gastrointestinal mucosal ulceration and dysplasia of the MNNG treated group were higher than those of the oxymatrine treated group (both P < 0.05). The expression rate of Ki67 in the tumor tissue of the MNNG treated group was (48 +/- 18)%, significantly higher than that of the oxymatrine treated group [(25 +/- 24)%, P < 0.05]. The apoptotic rate of tumor cell in the MNNG treated group was (11 +/- 7)%, significantly lower than that in the oxymatrine treated group [(30 +/- 16)%, P = 0.002]. Inhibiting the development and inducing the apoptosis of gastrointestinal tumor induced by MNNG, oxymatrine can be used as a chemopreventive agent against gastrointestinal tumor.

Inhibitory effect of oxymatrine on quartz-induced secretion of TNF-α by the pulmonary alveolar macrophages in the fibroblast proliferation

To study the inhibitory effect of oxymatrine (OM) on quartz-induced secretion of TNF-alpha in the fibroblast proliferation, a given amount of quartz powder and OM of different concentrations were put into the media of pure culture containing macrophages. After 24 h of the culture, the TNF-alpha in the media was measured by double-antibody sandwich ELISA. The TNF-alpha (10 ng/mL) and OM of different concentrations were added into the media containing the fibroblasts of the 4th generations from neonate rats. The gamma values of cAMP and cGMP in fibroblasts were determined by the radioimmunoassay and the concentrations of cAMP and cGMP were calculated according to standard curve. The intracellular Ca2+ was determined by flow cytometry and cell proliferation was detected by MTT. Our results showed that at the concentrations between 200 microg/ mL-1600 microg/mL, OM inhibited the secretion of TNF-alpha by alveolar macrophages (AM) in a dose-dependent manner. Especially, there were significant differences, to various degrees, in the inhibitory effect of OM between the concentration range of 800 microg/mL-1600 microg/mL and the concentration of 10 ng/mL TNF-alpha. When compared with 10 ng/mL TNF-alpha, OM of different concentrations could dose-independently increased the level of intracellular cAMP and decreased the level of cGMP, thereby raising the ratio of cAMP/cGMP and lowering the concentrations of intracellular Ca2+. Moreover, OM of 800 microg/mL had the strongest inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and at this concentration, the cAMP/cGMP was highest and Ca2+ was at the lowest level. We are led to conclude that OM can antagonize the damaging effect of quartz on the membrane of AM and the effect of TNF-alpha promoting the proliferation of fibroblasts. It achieves its inhibitory effect on the promoting effect of TNF-alpha on fibroblast proliferation by elevating the cAMP level and decreasing the release of Ca2+.

Effects of oxymatrine on proliferation and apoptosis in human hepatoma cells

Oxymatrine, a natural quinolizidine alkaloid, has been known having cytotoxic and chemopreventive effects on various cancer cells. To investigate the possible mechanism of oxymatrine's role on cancer cells, in the present study, we examined further the effects of oxymatrine on the growth, proliferation, apoptosis and expression of bcl-2 and p53 gene in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. Our results show that oxymatrine notably inhibits the growth and proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells and it present a dose-dependence and time-dependence manner within definite reacting dose and time. Oxymatrine block SMMC-7721 cells in G 2/M and S phase; prevent cells entering into G 0/G 1 phase. It results in an obvious accumulation of G 2/M and S phase cells while decrease of G 0/G 1 phase cells. Oxymatrine induce apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells and apoptotic rate amount to about 60% after treatment with 1.0 mg/ml oxymatrine for 48 h. We also find that oxymatrine down-regulate expression of bcl-2 gene while up-regulate expression of p53 gene. These results demonstrate that oxymatrine inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells, and suggest that this effect was mediated probably by a significant cell cycle blockage in G 2/M and S phase, down-regulation of bcl-2 and up-regulation of p53.