Anti-tumor effects and apoptosis induction by Realgar bioleaching solution in Sarcoma-180 cells in vitro and transplanted tumors in mice in vivo.
BACKGROUND
Realgar which contains arsenic components has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an anticancer drug. However, neither Realgar nor its formula are soluble in water. As a result, high dose of Realgar has to be administered to achieve an effective blood medicine concentration, and this is associated with adverse side effects. The objective of the present study was to increase the solubility of a formula using hydrometallurgy technology as well as investigating its effects on in vitro and in vivo cell proliferation and apoptosis in Sarcoma-180 cell line.


METHODS
Antiproliferative activity of Realgar Bioleaching Solution (RBS) was evaluated by MTT assay. Further, effects of RBS on cell proliferation and apoptosis were studied using flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy. Kunming mice were administered RBS in vivo, where arsenic specifically targeted solid tumors.


RESULTS
The results indicated that RBS extract potently inhibited the tumor growth of Sarcoma-180 cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy further indicated that RBS significantly induced cell apoptosis through the inhibition of cell cycle pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Further, on RBS administration to mice, arsenic was specifically targeted to solid tumors


CONCLUSIONS
RBS could substitute for traditional Realgar or its formula to work as a potent tool in cancer treatment.
Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China E-mail : hongyuli777@gmail.com.
Qin-Jian
QJ
Xie
Xin-Li
XL
Cao
Lu
L
Bai
Zheng-Rong
ZR
Wu
Ying-Ping
YP
Ma
Hong-Yu
HY
Li
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008669:Metallurgy / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D012510:Sarcoma 180 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D012996:Solutions; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012996:Solutions; D013440:Sulfides; D014867:Water; C058317:arsenic disulfide