Oxymatrine Extracted from Sophora flavescens Inhibited Cell Growth and Induced Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma MG-63 Cells In Vitro

Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics volume 70, pages1439–1444(2014)Cite this article

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.

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Affiliations

  1. Orthopedic Department, Shanxi Tumor Hospital, Workers 3rd Street, Taiyuan, 030013, Shanxi Provence, People’s Republic of China

    Jianghua Wei, Yin Zhu, Gang Xu, Fan Yang, Zhe Guan, Mao Wang & Yonghong Fang

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  1. Jianghua Wei
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  2. Yin Zhu
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  3. Gang Xu
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  4. Fan Yang
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  5. Zhe Guan
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  6. Mao Wang
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  7. Yonghong Fang
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Correspondence to Yin Zhu.

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Wei, J., Zhu, Y., Xu, G. et al. Oxymatrine Extracted from Sophora flavescens Inhibited Cell Growth and Induced Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma MG-63 Cells In Vitro. Cell Biochem Biophys 70, 1439–1444 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-014-0078-2

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Keywords

  • Oxymatrine
  • Sophora flavescens
  • Apoptosis
  • Osteosarcoma