Zhi-mu saponin inhibits alpha-fetoprotein gene expression in developing rat liver.
1. A saponin isolated from the Chinese herb zhi-mu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge) modifies alpha-fetoprotein production when injected into newborn rats. 2. The serum level of AFP was determined quantitatively by immunorocket electrophoresis. 3. AFP serum levels were reduced to 60% of the control by zhi-mu saponin (ZMS). 4. The lower AFP level in drug treated rat serum is not due to a change in the pattern of serum AFP variants. 5. AFP mRNA levels in ZMS-treated rat livers, measured by RNA dot hybridization, decreased to about 50% of control levels after 4 days treatment. 6. Results from tritium labeled dexamethasone competition assays suggest that ZMS may act on AFP gene expression through glucocorticoid receptor mediated action.
Li
P M
PM
Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
Zhong
J L
JL
Chen
R Q
RQ
Zhang
X K
XK
Ho
K L
KL
Chiu
J F
JF
Huang
D P
DP
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000235:genetics; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012503:Saponins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; C060637:zhi-mu saponin