[Inhibition of tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice treated with matrine].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the inhibitory effect of matrine on tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice and explore its possible mechanisms of anti-tumor action in vivo.


METHODS
Hepatocellular carcinoma cells H(22) were subcutaneously injected into BALB/c mice and matrine was administered to the tumor-bearing mice. The kinetics of tumor formation and tumor growth were measured, tumor growth inhibition rate (IR) was calculated, and tumor tissue samples were taken and examined by light and electron microscopy to assess the inhibitory effects of matrine on tumor growth in the mice.


RESULTS
Marked inhibitory effect of matrine on the transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma H(22) was observed in the tumor-bearing mice. The inhibitory rates were 62.5% and 60.7% in the groups treated with high and low dosage of matrine, respectively (P < 0.01 vs. control group). The tumor formation was significantly retarded and tumor growth was inhibited in matrine-treated groups compared with those in control mice. Histopathological examination revealed widespread necrosis with massive accumulation of infiltrating lymphocytes and plasmacytes in the tumors. Numerous apoptotic cells and apoptotic bodies were observed in the tumors under the electron microscope.


CONCLUSIONS
Matrine has marked inhibitory effects on tumor growth in vivo, which is probably related to inhibition of cell division and tumor cell proliferation, directly killing of tumor cells and/or induction of apoptosis and modulation of anti-tumor immune responses.
Ma
Ling-di
LD
Department of Clinical Experimental Medicine, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 400016, China.
Zhang
Yan
Y
Wen
Shi-hong
SH
He
Yu-juan
YJ
Liu
Xiao-shan
XS
Kang
Ge-fei
GF
Jiang
Ji-kai
JK
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000093842:Matrines
D000470:Alkaloids; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D011807:Quinolizines; D000093842:Matrines