[Antitumour effect of total saponins of Rubus parvifolius on malignant melanoma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antitumor effect of total saponins of R. parvifolius on malignant melanoma.


METHODS
The human malignant melanoma A375 cells were regularlly subcultured in vitro, and were divided into five groups contained positive control group (CTX), high concentration (0.01 mg x mL(-1)) and middle concentration (0.001 mg x mL(-1)) and low concentration (0.000 1 mg x mL(-1)) total saponins of R. parvifolius groups and negative control group. By using MTT colorimetric method, the cell viability was measured. B16 melanoma cells were transplanted to mice, which were divided into positive control group, high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)) and middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)) and low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)) total saponins of R. parvifolius groups and negative control group. The inhibition effect of the tumor in vivo, mean survival time and rate of life-elongation of the mice were observed. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis of B16 malignant melanoma.


RESULTS
Antitumor assay in vitro showed that the absorbency increased in the concentration of 0.01, 0.001 mg x mL(-1) with statistical significance (P < 0.05 vs negative control). Antitumor assay in vivo showed that the tumor inhibitory rate of high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)) and middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)) of total saponins of R. parvifolius were 37.02% and 30.61%, respectively. Loaded tumor mouse survival duration could be prolonged. The apoptosis indexes of B16 tumor cells in three treatment groups were 32.5%, 20.5% and 5.5%, respective and there was statistical significance (P < 0.05 vs negative control).


CONCLUSIONS
The total saponins of R. parvifolius has remarkable inhibition of proliferation of malignant melanoma cells in vivo and in vitro and exerts antitumor activities through promoting tumor cell apoptosis.
Zheng
Zhen-Xiao
ZX
Hangzhou Third Hospital, Zhejiang, Hangzhou 310009, China. zzx7503@163.com
Zhang
Ling-Ju
LJ
Huang
Chang-Xin
CX
Huang
Qiao-Ling
QL
Wei
Xiao-Dong
XD
Wu
Xi-Yi
XY
Zhou
Wei-Min
WM
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D027824:Rosaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D012503:Saponins