Study on the mechanism of xiaotan sanjie recipe for inhibiting proliferation of gastric cancer cells

Abstract

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Xiaotan Sanjie Recipe (XtSjR, Recipe for dissolving phlegm to eliminate stagnation) in inhibiting proliferation of gastric cancer cells.

Methods: The nude mouse human gastric cancer MKN-45 in situ transplantation tumor model was established by use of OB glue, and 40 model mice were randomized into 5 groups, model group, low-dose XtSjR group, middle-dose XtSjR group, high-dose XtSjR group, and 5-Fu group, 8 rats in each group. Human gastric cancer MKN-45 telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein and mRNA expressions were assayed by immunohistochemical method and real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR, and influences of XtSjR on the expressions of hTERT protein and mRNA were investigated in the nude mouse human gastric cancer MKN-45 in situ tumor transplantation model.

Results: 1) There were significant differences in the mean tumor weight between the low-, middle-, high-dose XtSjR groups and the model group (all P < 0.01); 2) There were significant differences in the hTERT positive expression rate between the middle- and high-dose XtSjR groups and the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); 3) There were significant differences in the hTERT mRNA content between the middle- and high-dose XtSjR groups and the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

Conclusion: 1) XtSjR has a marked inhibitory effect on the growth of gastric cancer cells; 2) XtSjR inhibits telomerase activity by down-regulating the expressions of hTERT protein and mRNA, shortening the length of cancer cell telomeres gradually, losing the ability to infinitely proliferate, and finally inhibiting the growth and proliferation of tumor cells.