title: Oxymatrine extracted from Sophora flavescens inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells in vitro.
abstract: Oxymatrine, one of the most active components of the ethanol extracts from Sophora flavescens, is known for its potent antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism of its action in mediating the cell apoptosis remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the proliferation inhibitory and apoptotic activities of oxymatrine against human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. The compound was found to markedly and dose-dependently inhibit the cell proliferation determined by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation. Oxymatrine also induced the cell apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner as showed by the annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and TUNEL assay. Furthermore, a disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and an up-regulation of cleaved caspases-3, and-9 and downregulation of Bax/Bcl-2 was evidenced in the oxymatrine-treated cells. These proteins have been known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of apoptosis. In conclusion, these observations indicate of the oxymatrine potential as an effective antitumor agent against osteosarcoma. Moreover, the compound appears to exert its anti-tumor action by stimulating the caspase-triggered signaling pathway.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Department, Shanxi Tumor Hospital, Workers 3rd Street, Taiyuan, 030013, Shanxi Provence, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jianghua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Mao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yonghong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000473:pathology*; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029909:Sophora / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D000093842:Matrines
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011807:Quinolizines; C037573:oxymatrine; D000093842:Matrines