[Reversal of resistance to adriamycin in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADM by beta-elemene].
OBJECTIVE
To study the reversal mechanism of adriamycin (ADM) resistance in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADM by beta-elemene (beta-ELE), a wide spectrum anticancer drug derived from the Chinese herb Curcuma chaeocaulis.


METHODS
Sensitivity to ADM of MCF-7/ADM cells was studied by MTT assay. Intracellular accumulation of ADM in MCF-7/ADM cells was observed by fluorescent-spectrophotometry. Expression of bcl-2 protein was detected by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
A non-cytotoxic dose (6 micro g/ml) and a weakly cytotoxic dose (13 micro g/ml) of beta-ELE could significantly enhance the cytotoxic effects of ADM on MCF-7/ADM cells to 1.4 and 2.2 fold as compared to the beta-ELE untreated control cells. The intracellular concentration of ADM in MCF-7/ADM cells was significantly increased after treatment with beta-ELE (P < 0.01). The expression of bcl-2 protein in MCF-7/ADM cells was reduced from 90.2% to 70.0% (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
beta-ELE could partially reverse the drug resistance to ADM in MCF-7/ADM, which is related to the increased accumulation of intracellular ADM and the decreased expression of bcl-2.
Hu
Jun
J
Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China.
Jin
Wei
W
Yang
Pei-man
PM
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C445979:beta-elemene; D004317:Doxorubicin