title: Rhizoma Paridis Saponins Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As a traditional Chinese medicine herb, Chonglou (Paris polyphylla var. chensiins) has been used as anticancer medicine in China in recent decades, as it can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in numerous cancer cells. The saponins extract from the rhizoma of Chonglou [Rhizoma Paridis saponins (RPS)] is known as the main active component for anticancer treatment. However, the molecular mechanism of the anticancer effect of RPS is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study evaluated the effect of RPS in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Subsequently, the expression of several genes associated with cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RPS was revealed to inhibit cell growth, causing a number of cells to accumulate in the G 1 phase of the cell cycle, leading to apoptosis. In addition, the effect was dose-dependent. Moreover, the results of qRT-PCR and Western blotting showed that p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) were significantly downregulated, and that BCL2, BAX, and p21 were upregulated, by RPS treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We speculated that the RPS could act on a pathway, including p53, p21, BCL2, BAX, and CDK2, and results in G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in NSCLC cells.
authors: School of Bioengineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China (mainland).
authors: Jue
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: School of Bioengineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China (mainland).
authors: Yixi
authors: Y
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Oncology, The Sixth People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China (mainland).
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Lei
authors: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China (mainland).
authors: Mengliang
authors: M
authors: Tian
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D051357:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 / Q000235:genetics; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000235:genetics; D059585:G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000187:drug effects; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; C494826:BAX protein, human; C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D012503:Saponins; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C495894:CDK2 protein, human; D051357:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2