title: Effects of Shugansanjie Tang on matrix metalloproteinases 1, 3 and 9 and telomerase reverse transcriptase expression in human breast cells in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The traditional Chinese medication Shugansanjie Tang (SGT), whose active component is Akebia Trifoliate Koidz, possesses potential anti-tumor and immunostimulatory effects especially for breast cancer. The invasive processes of such cancers have been attributed to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which may be the key factor mediating this process. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) catalyze the lengthening of telomeres, which prolongs cell life and interrupts natural cell death. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Shugansanjie Tang on MMP levels and TERT activity using breast cancer cell lines.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and BT-483. Cell inhibition rate was measured by WST-1 reagent, cell apoptosis by Apoptotic DNA Ladder Kit, mRNA expression of MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9 by PCR and TERT by immunohistochemistry stain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparing to the control group, the test group showed lower cell growth rate, decreased mRNA expression of MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9 production and less intense staining of MMPs with diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that Shugansanjie Tang inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells by apoptosis and lowers the level of certain matrix metalloproteinases and activity of telomerase reverse transcriptase in breast cancer in vitro.
authors.affiliation: UNIMED Medical Institute, Hong Kong, PR China.
authors.forename: Wings T Y
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Loo
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Louis W C
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Jeffrey W K
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019098:Telomerase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts
chemical_list: C110656:2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; C526171:shugansanjie tang; D019098:Telomerase; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1