title: Qianliening capsule () inhibits human prostate cell growth via induction of mitochondrion-dependent cell apoptosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which Qianliening Capsule (, QC) treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Human prostate stromal cell line WPMY-1 was treated with 0, 1, 3 and 5 mg/mL of QC for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively, in the presence of 10 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The viability of WPMY-1 cells was determined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell morphology was observed by phase-contrast microscopy. 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis with Annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) staining were performed to determine cell apoptosis. The loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was examined by FACS analysis with 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyarine iodide (JC-1) staining. Activation of caspase-3 and -9 was evaluated by colorimetric assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Upon bFGF stimulation, the viability of WPMY-1 cells was increased to 122%-118% compared with the control cells (P <0.05). However, treatment with 1-5 mg/mL of QC for 24, 48 and 72 h decreased the viability of bFGF-stimulated cells to 80%-92%, 59%-82%, 36%-62% compared with the untreated cells (P <0.05). In addition, QC treatment reduced WPMY-1 cell density in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, QC treatment dose-dependently induced the loss of plasma membrane asymmetry, the nuclear condensation and fragmentation, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and increase of pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Promoting mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis of prostate stromal cells might be one of the mechanisms by which QC treats BPH.
authors.affiliation: Academy of Integrative Medicine Biomedical Research Center, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhen-Feng
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Jiu-Mao
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Xiao-Yong
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian-Heng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002214:Capsules; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D002214:Capsules; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C579120:qianliening