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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2007; 13(19): 2743-2746
Published online May 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i19.2743
Effects of aqueous extracts of Aconitum carmichaeli, Rhizoma bolbostemmatis, Phytolacca acinosa, Panax notoginseng and Gekko swinhonis Gūenther on Bel-7402 cells
Zhu-Chen Yan, Dan Chen, Xiong-Zhi Wu, Guang-Ru Xie, Yi Ba, Zhao Yan
Zhu-Chen Yan, Xiong-Zhi Wu, Guang-Ru Xie, Yi Ba, Zhao Yan, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China
Dan Chen, Tianijn Infectious Diseases Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Xiong-Zhi Wu, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Ti Yuan Bei, Huan Hu Xi Road, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, China. ilwxz@163.com
Telephone: +86-22-23340123 Fax: +86-22-23340123
Received: January 9, 2007
Revised: January 15, 2007
Accepted: January 31, 2007
Published online: May 21, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the anticancer activity of a chinese medical mixture, WRCP (warming and relieving Cold Phlegm), on hepatocarcinoma Bel-7402 cells.

METHODS: Fingerprints of WRCP, which were composed of aqueous extracts of Aconitum carmichaeli, Rhizoma bolbostemmatis, Phytolacca acinosa, Panax notoginseng and Gekko swinhonis Gūenther, and aconitine, which could be isolated from Aconitum carmichaeli and have the potential toxicity, were identified by high pressure liquid chromatography. Bel-7402 cells were grown in the presence of WRCP, As2O3 or all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Cell proliferation and viability were determined by trypan blue stain. Apoptosis and cell cycle of Bel-7402 cells were detected by flow cytometry. Morphologic and ultrastructural variations were determined under optic and electronic microscopy. The secretion of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin was detected by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS: The average quality of aconitine is 1.15 ± 0.10 μg per 7.5 g extracts. WRCP could suppress the proliferation and viability of Bel-7402 cells. The percentage of apoptosis cells and S phase cells increased on WRCP-treated cells. Treated with WRCP, Bel-7402 cells showed ultrastructural features of differentiation. The alpha-fetoprotein secretion decreased while the albumin secretion increased (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) markedly in WRCP-treated cells.

CONCLUSION: WRCP can affect the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of Bel-7402 cells. It can arrest cells in S phase and has strong cytotoxicity to Bel-7402 cells.

Keywords: Hepatocarcinoma; Chinese herb; Proliferation; Differentiation; Apoptosis; Cytotoxicity