The Antitumor Effect Study Of Nidus Vespae Methanol Extract On Cancer Cells In Vitro

ObjectiveNidus Vespae is an attractive chinese traditional medical with potent bioractive actions and less side effects. Most of the present researches focuse on the propolis of Nidus Vespae, little is known about other components. As a kind of Chinese traditional medical, Nidus Vespae has many pharmacological effects including antitumor. The antitumoral effects of Nidus Vespae were discovered adventitiously, at the present time systematical research on its anticancer effects is lack. Its anticancer research is mainly restricted to animal studies or experiments in vitro, its pharmacokinetic and drug toxicology are required to be clarified in details to potentiate its extensive use in in drug development and clinical applications The current study investigated the antitumor effects of Nidus Vespae methanol extract on cancer cells from different histology. We also explored the potential mechanis(s) underlying the antimor effects mediated by Nidus Vespae methanol extract.MethodsNidus Vespae was extracted by methanol, and methanol extract was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The survival rate of five cancer cells from different histology was investigated with different concentrations of Nidus Vespae methanol extract for 24h or 48h using MTT assay. The apoptosis inducing effects of the methanol extract was analyzed using Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining followed by flow cytometry. The effects of Nidus Vespae methanol extract on cell cycle progression was measured using PI staining followed by flow cytometry. The effects of Nidus Vespae methanol extract on Bcl-2 expression level and Caspase-3 activity were analyzed by ELISA and spectrophotometry, respectively. CFU-F is performed to evaluate the toxic and side-effect of the methanol extract on hematopoietic stem cell (HSC). ResultsNidus Vespae methanol extract caused growth inhibition in a concentration dependent manner with a maximal effect at 0.100 mg/ml in five cancer cells derived from different histology; Nidus Vespae methanol extract blocked the cell cycle progression and induced cell apoptosis; Nidus Vespae methanol extract reduced the expression of Bcl-2, whereas had no obvious effect on Caspase 3 activity. The data of CFU-F demonstrated that 0.100 mg/ml or higher concentration of the extract was toxic to HSCs; on the contrary, proliferative effects on HSCs was observed when 0.040 mg/ml or lower concentration of the extract was used.ConclusionNidus Vespae methanol extract demonstrated antitumor effect in a dose-dependent manner while higher than 0.025mg/ml. Similar antitumor effects were observed in different time, suggesting that the antineoplastic ingredients might be relatively stable in chemistry. Different concentrations of the extract showed some different effects on cell cycle blockade and induction of apoptosis, possibly because of the complicated ingredients of the Nidus Vespae methanol extract.