title: Effect of berberine on proliferation, biosynthesis of macromolecules, cell cycle and induction of intercalation with DNA, dsDNA damage and apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.
abstract: Our primary aim was to study berberine, a potential anti-cancer drug, for its cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity in-vitro using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by the growth inhibition assay. We investigated the effect of berberine on the biosynthesis of macro-molecules (DNA, RNA, proteins), cell cycle effects and induction of dsDNA damage and apoptosis in berberine-treated EAC cells. Our results showed that berberine acts cytotoxically on EAC cells. The cytotoxicity was directly concentration and time dependent. The highest cytotoxic concentrations (100 and 50 microg mL(-1)) induced intercalation of berberine with DNA, formation of dsDNA breaks, inhibition of DNA synthesis and death of EAC cells. A concentration of 10 mug mL(-1) induced clear apoptotic cell death, which was followed by inhibition of protein synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Radlinského 9, SK-81237 Bratislava, Slovak Republic. silvia.letasiova@stuba.sk
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Letasiová
authors.forename: Sona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jantová
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miko
authors.forename: Renáta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ovádeková
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horváthová
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor; D002453:Cell Cycle; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011506:Proteins; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D001599:Berberine; D004247:DNA; C427203:calf thymus DNA