Abstract
Aim: To assess radiosensitzing potential of huachansu (HCS) and delineate the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Lung cancer cell lines were exposed to HCS, radiation or both and subjected to survival assays, Western blots, apoptosis assay and immunocytochemical analysis. Results: HCS suppressed the viability of all three lung lines tested and enhanced radiosensitivity of H460 and A549 (wild-type p53) only with no effect on H1299 (p53 null) cells. HCS prolonged the presence of radiation-induced γH2AX foci and increased radiation-induced apoptosis. Western blots showed that HCS increased cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) levels, as well as reducing BCL-2 and p53 protein levels in H460 cells. Conclusion: HCS-enhanced radiosensitivity of human lung cancer lines appeared to be p53-dependent. Inhibition of DNA repair and increase in radiation-induced apoptosis may have served as underlying mechanisms. These data suggest that HCS may have potential to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy.
- Received April 8, 2011.
- Revision received May 18, 2011.
- Accepted May 19, 2011.
- Copyright© 2011 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved