title: [The effects of matrine on cell proliferation and telomerase activity in retinoblastoma cells in vitro].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of matrine on cell proliferation and telomerase activity in retinoblastoma cells in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  HXO-Rb44 cells were treated with 0.1 to 3.2 mmol/L matrine for 24 h, then cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis rates were evaluated by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay after the cells were treated for various durations. The telomerase activity were measured by telomeric repeat amplification protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MA inhibited the growth of HXO-Rb44 cells. Ma induced the apoptosis and down-regulated the telomerase activity of HXO-Rb44 cells, which were time dependent. There was a positive correlation between the telomerase activity and the apoptosis (r = -0.961, P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ma can induce the apoptosis and down-regulate the telomerase activity of retinoblastoma cells, which may be one of important mechanisms to inhibit the cell proliferation. It suggests that Ma may be a potent drug for the treatment of retinoblastoma.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Ophthalmic Center, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ruo-jin
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Liao-qing
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiao-chao
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000473:pathology*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000093842:Matrines
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D011807:Quinolizines; D019098:Telomerase; D000093842:Matrines