Effects of aqueous extracts of Aconitum carmichaeli, Rhizoma bolbostemmatis, Phytolacca acinosa, Panax notoginseng and Gekko swinhonis Gūenther on Bel-7402 cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the anticancer activity of a chinese medical mixture, WRCP (warming and relieving Cold Phlegm), on hepatocarcinoma Bel-7402 cells.


METHODS
Fingerprints of WRCP, which were composed of aqueous extracts of Aconitum carmichaeli, Rhizoma bolbostemmatis, Phytolacca acinosa, Panax notoginseng and Gekko swinhonis Guenther, and aconitine, which could be isolated from Aconitum carmichaeli and have the potential toxicity, were identified by high pressure liquid chromatography. Bel-7402 cells were grown in the presence of WRCP, As(2)O(3) or all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Cell proliferation and viability were determined by trypan blue stain. Apoptosis and cell cycle of Bel-7402 cells were detected by flow cytometry. Morphologic and ultrastructural variations were determined under optic and electronic microscopy. The secretion of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin was detected by radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
The average quality of aconitine is 1.15 +/- 0.10 microg per 7.5 g extracts. WRCP could suppress the proliferation and viability of Bel-7402 cells. The percentage of apoptosis cells and S phase cells increased on WRCP-treated cells. Treated with WRCP, Bel-7402 cells showed ultrastructural features of differentiation. The alpha-fetoprotein secretion decreased while the albumin secretion increased (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) markedly in WRCP-treated cells.


CONCLUSIONS
WRCP can affect the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of Bel-7402 cells. It can arrest cells in S phase and has strong cytotoxicity to Bel-7402 cells.
Yan
Zhu-Chen
ZC
Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Ti Yuan Bei, Huan Hu Xi Road, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, China.
Chen
Dan
D
Wu
Xiong-Zhi
XZ
Xie
Guang-Ru
GR
Ba
Yi
Y
Yan
Zhao
Z
D000157:Aconitine / Q000494:pharmacology; D031841:Aconitum; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008116:Lizards; D053723:Panax notoginseng; D029603:Phytolacca; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D014020:Tissue Extracts; D000157:Aconitine