[Effect of neferine on the chemotherapic sensitivity of STI 571 to K562/A02 cells].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of neferine on the chemotherapic sensitivity of STI 571 to K562/A02 cells and to reveal its mechanism.

METHODS

MTT method was used to observe the alteration of the proliferation of K562/A02 cell line treated with STI571 alone or combined with neferine. The transcription of mdrl gene was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and the P-gp expression was determined by Western blot after STI 571 alone or combined with neferine treatment.

RESULTS

The cytotoxic effect of STI 571 (1 micromol/L) combined with neferine (IC50 = 3.02 micromol/L) on K562/A02 cell line was significantly higher than that of STI 571 alone (IC50 = 0.689 micromol/L). After treating with STI571 combined with neferine, the synergistic interaction on K562/A02 cells increased 4.38 folds (P < 0.05); the mdrl mRNA expression by semi-quantitative RT-PCR was significantly reduced by (45.4 +/- 2.5) % (P < 0.01); and the P-gp expression by Western blot was deregulated by 40.58% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Neferine significantly enhances the antineoplastic effect of STI 571 on K562/A02 cells by reducing mdrl mRNA transcription and blocking P-gp expression.