title: Paris polyphylla Smith extract induces apoptosis and activates cancer suppressor gene connexin26 expression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The inhibition of tumor cell growth without toxicity to normal cells is an important target in cancer therapy. One possible way to increase the efficacy of anticancer drugs and to decrease toxicity or side effects is to develop traditional natural products, especially from medicinal plants. Paris polyphylla Smith has shown anti-tumour effects by inhibition of tumor promotion and inducement of tumor cell apoptosis, but mechanisms are still not well understood. The present study was to explore the effect of Paris polyphylla Smith extract (PPSE) on connexin26 and growth control in human esophageal cancer ECA109 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of PPSE on Connexin26 were examined by RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence; cell growth and proliferation were examined by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PPSE inhibited the growth and proliferation on esophageal cancer ECA109 cells, while increasing the expression of connexin26 mRNA and protein; conversely, PPSE decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bad.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study firstly shows that PPSE can increase connexin26 expression at mRNA and protein level, exerting anti-tumour effects on esophageal cacner ECA109 cells via inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Science, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China.
authors.forename: Fu-Rong
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.forename: Shu-Tong
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sang
authors.forename: Shu-Cun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ya-Bin
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lin-Lin
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D019668:Liliaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C494819:BAD protein, human; D017630:Connexins; C000607042:GJB2 protein, human; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein; D000072259:Connexin 26