Tanshinone IIA inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer BxPC‑3 cells             by decreasing protein expression of TCTP, MCL‑1 and Bcl‑xL.
Pancreatic cancer remains a challenging disease worldwide. Tanshinone IIA             (Tan‑IIA) is one of the active constituents of Danshen (Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae).             Tan‑IIA has been hypothesized to inhibit numerous human cancer cells by various             molecular mechanisms. However, the efficacy and molecular mechanism of Tan‑IIA             action in pancreatic cancer has not been well studied. In the present study, the             cytotoxicity of Tan‑IIA in human pancreatic cancer BxPC‑3 cells was evaluated             by MTT assay. Cell cycle analysis of BxPC‑3 cells treated with Tan‑IIA was performed             by flow cytometry (FACS). Protein expression levels of TCTP, Mcl‑1, Bcl‑xL, Bax             and Caspase‑3 in BxPC‑3 cells were measured by western blot analysis. The results             revealed that Tan‑IIA inhibited BxPC‑3 cells in a time‑ and dose‑dependent manner.             FACS analysis demonstrated that Tan‑IIA increases the rate of sub‑G1 phase. BxPC‑3             cells treated with Tan‑IIA were identified to upregulate protein expression of             Bax and Caspase‑3 and downregulate expression of TCTP, Mcl‑1 and Bcl‑xL. These             results indicate that Tan‑IIA may inhibit BxPC‑3 human pancreatic cancer cells             through the induction of apoptosis by decreasing protein expression of TCTP, Mcl‑1             and Bcl‑xL and increasing Bax expression in vitro. The chemotherapeutic potential             of Tan‑IIA for human pancreatic cancer warrants further study.
Department of Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500‑06, Taiwan, ROC.
Cheng-Yen
CY
Huang
Tsung-Lang
TL
Chiu
Shou-Jen
SJ
Kuo
Su-Yu
SY
Chien
Dar-Ren
DR
Chen
Chin-Cheng
CC
Su
D045784:Abietanes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza / Q000737:chemistry; D000090324:Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
D045784:Abietanes; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C579095:MCL1 protein, human; D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; C000715647:TPT1 protein, human; D000090324:Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051020:bcl-X Protein; C021751:tanshinone; D053148:Caspase 3