[Study on effect of berbamine on multidrug resistance leukemia K562/Adr cells].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect and mechanism of berbamine on the apoptosis of multidrug resistant leukemia K562/Adr cells and in reversing the drug resistance.


METHODS
IC50 value of K562/Adr cell was determined with MTT method, cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin V FITC-PI assay, with the peak and cell cycle detected by PI staining. At the same time, flow cytometry was also used in determining Caspase-3, P-GP protein expression and drug accumulating capacity in cells, and RT-PCR method was used to analyze the gene expression of mdr-1.


RESULTS
Berbamine could inhibit human leukemia K562/Adr cell growth in dose-dependent manner, it could also induce cell apoptosis, increase the protein expression of Caspase-3 and the drug excretion capacity of cells, reduce the mRNA and protein expression levels of mdr-1 gene.


CONCLUSIONS
Berbamine could activate Caspase-3 to induce human leukemia K562/Adr cell apoptosis, and by reducing mdr-1 gene expression to reverse its multidrug resistance.
Dong
Qing-hua
QH
Cancer Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (310009).
Zheng
Shu
S
Xu
Rong-zhen
RZ
Lu
Qinghua
Q
He
Liming
L
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D000470:Alkaloids; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; C027870:berbamine