title: Antitumor activities of D-glucosamine and its derivatives.
abstract: The growth inhibitory effects of D-glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcNH(2).HCl), D-glucosamine (GlcNH(2)) and N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) on human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro were investigated. The results showed that GlcNH(2).HCl and GlcNH(2) resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in hepatoma cell growth as measured by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. This effect was accompanied by a marked increase in the proportion of S cells as analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells treated with GlcNH(2).HCl resulted in the induction of apoptosis as assayed qualitatively by agarose gel electrophoresis. NAG could not inhibit the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells. GlcNH(2).HCl exhibited antitumor activity against Sarcoma 180 in Kunming mice at dosage of 125-500 mg/kg, dose of 250 mg/kg being the best. GlcNH(2).HCl at dose of 250 mg/kg could enhance significantly the thymus index, and spleen index and could promote T lymphocyte proliferation induced by ConA. The antitumor effect of GlcNH(2).HCl is probably host-mediated and cytocidal.
authors.affiliation: College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China. qdzhangli@ouc.edu.cn
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wan-shun
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bao-qin
authors.initials: BQ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Yan-fei
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Dong-feng
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012510:Sarcoma 180 / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004247:DNA; D005944:Glucosamine