Lycium barbarum polysaccharide inhibits the proliferation of HeLa cells by inducing apoptosis.
BACKGROUND
Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), isolated with boiling water from the famous Chinese medicinal herb Lycium barbarum fruits, is one of the most important functional constituents in Lycium barbarum. In this study the effects of LBP on cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa cells) were investigated.


RESULTS
LBP could inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells by changing cell cycle distribution and inducing apoptosis. In addition, the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm ) was observed by flow cytometry and the increase of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration was detected by laser scanning confocal microscope in apoptotic cells. At the same time, the nitric oxide content, nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase activities were also increased.


CONCLUSIONS
The inhibitory effect of LBP on the proliferation of HeLa cells was caused by inducing apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. The results showed that LBP can be developed as a potential chemotherapeutic agent candidate against human cervical cancer.
College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China.
Cai-Ping
CP
Zhu
Sheng-Hua
SH
Zhang
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D032305:Lycium / Q000737:chemistry*; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C500223:lycium barbarum polysaccharide; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D002118:Calcium