Poster Presenter

Anti-Cancer Effect of Tian Xian Liquid, a Chinese Medicine Formula, in Human Colon Carcinoma HT29
Stephen Cho Wing SZE, ESM Chu, Wong KL, Q. LIU, CMN YOW, WK LIU, TB NG, Y TONG
Hong Kong

Tian-Xian liquid (TXL), a Chinese medicine decoction, has been used as an anticancer dietary agent for more than 10 years without reported side effects.

Aim of the study: The mechanisms of action of TXL on anti-proliferation, anti-metastasis and reversion of multi-drug resistance regimens were explored.

Materials and methods: In this study, HT-29 human colon cancer cell line and tumor-bearing nude mice were employed. TXL was provided by China-Japan Feida Union Company Limited. The effect of TXL on in vitro proliferation of HT-29 human colon cancer cell line was examined. The percentages of treated cells distributed in different phases of the cell cycles were analyzed by flow cytometry. Anti-proliferative effect after treatment with TXL was assessed by determination of the protein levels of p21, cyclinD1, PCNA, Cdk2, which are the key regulators for cell cycle progression.
Meanwhile, the protein levels of MMP-1 and MDR-1 were also determined to assess the effect of TXL on anti-metastasis and reversion of multi-drug resistance regimen, respectively.

Results: Immuno-blotting analysis revealed a dramatic induction of cyclin kinase inhibitor p21 as well as an inhibition of cyclinD1, PCNA, Cdk2 in the TXL-treated in vitro models, thereby impeding cell progression from G1/S phase. Results obtained from the in vivo study also demonstrated that TXL up-regulated the protein level of p21, and down-regulated the protein level of MMP-1 and MDR1.

Conclusions: Results obtained from the present investigation demonstrated that the TXL possesses anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic activities and brings about reversion of multi-drug resistance on HT-29 cell and on xenografted tissue in tumor-implanted nude mice.