| Abstract |
In this report, antitumor effects of YoshixolTR in vivo and in vitro were investigated in B16 melanoma cells. For in vivo experiments, the present study shows a dramatic inhibition of tumor growth of B16 melanoma transplanted on the leg or intraperitoneal cavity after treatment with YoshixolTR intraperitoneally. A proliferation of B16 cells in vitro was inhibited by YoshixolTR in a dose-and time-dependent manner. YoshixolTR induced apoptosis-like cell death in histological observations (phase-contrast, scanning and transmission electron microscopy), DNA fragmentation, and a smaller increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a marker of cell leakage. Immunohistochemical investigation of cytoskeletal components, such as actin and tubulin, showed a cell wall disruption of B16 melanoma cells and a nuclear extrusion after the treatment with YoshixolTR. Treatment with YoshixolTR in vitro showed an arrest at the G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle, followed by a flow cytometric measurement. As a possible physiological mechanism of YoshixolTR on B16 melanoma cells, intracellular Ca++ was measured with Fura-2 technique. An adequate concentration of YoshixolTR, which induces apoptosis-like cell death, showed a decrease in intracellular free Ca++ concentration. In conclusion, YoshixolTR has an antitumor potency with a new biological mechanism of cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation, including cellular signalling pathways, and is a new candidate for an ideal chemotherapeutic agent against malignant tumors.
|
