title: Matrine inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of the androgen‑independent             prostate cancer cell line PC-3.
abstract: Current strategies to treat androgen-independent prostate cancer are associated             with a number of challenges and are not yet curative. Matrine is a naturally occurring             alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens. Matrine has shown             anti-proliferative properties in a number of types of cancer, including breast,             gastric, lung and pancreatic tumors. Matrine was also found to promote apoptosis             and inhibit invasion of cancer cells. We evaluated the antitumor effects of matrine             on androgen-independent PC-3 prostate cancer cells. The effects of matrine on             cell cycle progression and apoptosis of PC-3 cells were tested. Matrine-treated             PC-3 cells underwent G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. There was a significant reduction             in the number of S phase and G2/M phase cells in the treated group when compared             to untreated cells. Flow cytometry, as well as Annexin-V/PI staining, showed a             significant, dose-dependent increase in the number of early, as well as late,             stage apoptotic cells in matrine-treated cells compared to untreated cells. There             was also an increase in the number of necrotic cells in the matrine-treated group             when compared to untreated cells. Matrine treatment resulted in increased levels             of caspase-3 and Bax and decreased levels of Bcl-2. Our data suggest that matrine             inhibits the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells by causing             G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and promoting apoptosis. Matrine‑induced apoptosis was             mediated by downregulation of Bcl-2/Bax ratios and upregulation of caspase-3 levels.             Based on our data, we suggest that matrine may be a novel addition to the current             arsenal of strategies used to treat androgen-independent prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Xi'an, JiaoTong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, PR China. zpbill@126.com.cn
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ziming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Zongzheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ji
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D059585:G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000093842:Matrines
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011807:Quinolizines; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3; D000093842:Matrines