title: Combined Effect of Sodium Selenite and Ginsenoside Rh2 on HCT116 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sodium selenite and ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) are well known for their anticancer properties and have been exploited as a new therapeutic approach. In this study, we are interested to evaluate if sodium selenite and G-Rh2 combination results in a synergistic anticancer effect that could contribute to lower systemic toxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We observed the synergistic antitumor effect by combination of sodium selenite and G-Rh2 on HCT-116 human colorectal carcinoma cells in vitro. Cell growth, viability, cell cycle progression and cell apoptosis, Bax/Bcl2 ratio, caspase-3 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and autophagy were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that sodium selenite and G-Rh2 combination have a synergistic effect on cell growth inhibition (57%) compared with sodium selenite (25%) and G-Rh2 alone (28%) after 24 hours of treatment. This combination also induced G1 and S phase arrest simultaneously and increased apoptosis rate. The results also indicated that Bax/Bcl2 ratio and caspase-3 expression, known as proapoptotic factors, were increased in the presence of sodium selenite and G-Rh2 alone. However, combined drug treatment results in a more significant increase in Bax/Bcl2 ratio and caspase-3 expression (P < 0.05). In addition, this combination significantly induces a depletion of ROS production and autophagy, compared to control, sodium selenite and G-Rh2 alone (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sodium selenite and ginsenoside Rh2 combination may be a more effective treatment for human colorectal carcinoma and is a promising chemotherapeutic approach for malignant tumors.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Changlai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Nantong University，Jiangsu, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Wenbo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Nantong University，Jiangsu, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Tianyi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu, P. R. China. willim118@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000737:chemistry*; D045325:HCT116 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000737:chemistry*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C494826:BAX protein, human; C000595707:BCL2 protein, human; D036145:Ginsenosides; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C055305:ginsenoside Rh2; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D018038:Sodium Selenite