Objective: To assess the effects of Jinlongshe Granules (JLSG) on tumor growth of gastric carcinoma.
Methods: Fifty nude mice orthotopically transplanted with MKN-45 human gastric cancer cells were divided into five groups: untreated group, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated group and high-, medium-, and low-dose JLSG-treated groups. Corresponding antitumor drugs were administered in each group except the untreated group. The antitumor effects in vivo were evaluated. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of MKN-45 human gastric cancer cells were determined by using flow cytometry (FCM) and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (Annexin V-FITC/PI) staining assay. The ultrastructure of MKN-45 gastric cancer cells was observed by transmission electron microscope.
Results: In the mice treated with high-, medium-, and low-dose JLSG, the growth inhibition rates of gastric cancer were 68.13%, 55.94% and 50.31% respectively, and this antitumor effect was dose-dependent. In the mice treated with intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU, the growth inhibition rate of gastric cancer was 53.43% and not much different from those treated with JLSG. The apoptotic rates in the high-, medium-, and low-dose JLSG-treated groups were 22.81%, 28.27% and 38.54% respectively, in a dose-dependent manner, with the cell cycle arrested at G(0)/G(1) phase. An Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay revealed that the percentages of early apoptotic cells in the three dose JLSG-treated groups were all significantly higher than that in the 5-FU-treated group, whereas the late apoptotic and necrotic cells were much more in the 5-FU-treated group than those in the three dose JLSG-treated groups.
Conclusion: Jinlongshe Granules exert an inhibiting effect on MKN-45 human gastric cancer cell.