title: Matrine inhibits the growth of retinoblastoma cells (SO-Rb50) by decreasing proliferation and inducing apoptosis in a mitochondrial pathway.
abstract: Matrine, one of the main active components of extracts from the dry roots of Sophora flavescens, has potent anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Here, we investigated the apoptosis in matrine-treated retinoblastoma cells. The results showed that matrine could inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Further investigation revealed that a disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and an up-regulation of reactive oxygen species in matrine-treated cells. By western blot analysis, we found that the up-regulation of cleaved Apaf-1, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-7, Bax/Bcl-2, varying with different concentration of matrine. These protein interactions may play a pivotal role in the regulation of apoptosis. Taken together, these results overall indicate that matrine could be used as an effective anti-tumor agent in therapy of retinoblastoma targets the caspase-dependent signaling pathway.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Nangang District, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China.
authors: Qingliang
authors: Q
authors: Shao
authors: Xiaxia
authors: X
authors: Zhao
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Yao
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D000093842:Matrines
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D011807:Quinolizines; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D020169:Caspases; D000093842:Matrines