Published online Jul 21, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i27.8352
Peer-review started: January 25, 2015
First decision: February 10, 2015
Revised: March 9, 2015
Accepted: April 17, 2015
Article in press: April 17, 2015
Published online: July 21, 2015
AIM: To evaluate human pancreatic carcinoma cell line (PANC-1) cells apoptosis and Bcl-2 and Bax expression induced by Yin Chen Hao Decoction (YCHD).
METHODS: The cell growth inhibitory rate was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis of PANC-1 cells before and after treatment with YCHD was determined by TUNEL staining. Expression of the apoptosis-associated genes, Bcl-2 and Bax, was detected by immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription -PCR.
RESULTS: YCHD inhibited the growth of PANC-1 cells. Following treatment with YCHD for 24-96 h, the apoptotic rate of PANC-1 cells increased with time. In addition, the positive rate of Bcl-2 protein expression decreased in a time-dependent manner, whereas the positive rate of Bax protein expression increased in a time-dependent manner. Following treatment of with YCHD for 24-96h, expression of BAX mRNA increased gradually and BCL-2 mRNA reduced gradually with time.
CONCLUSION: YCHD induces apoptosis of PANC-1 cells mediated in part via up-regulation of BAX and down-regulation of BCL-2.
Core tip: Yin Chen Hao Decoction (YCHD) inhibits the growth of pancreatic carcinoma cells. Following treatment with YCHD for 24-96 h, the apoptotic rates in these cells is increased by YCHD, which is accompanied by time-dependent increased expression of Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2. YCHD-induced apoptosis of these cells may be mediated by upregulation of BAX and downregulation of BCL-2.