Ginsenoside Rh2 sensitized 5-fluorouracil which induced human breast cancer MCF-7 apoptosis

Objective To investigate the ginsenoside Rh2(G-Rh2)whether sensitive 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)in human breast cancer MCF cells,and expand the apoptotic signal by synergy.Methods MTT assay was used to determine the concentrations of non-toxic G-Rh2 sensitivity.Then MCF cells were divided into 4 groups.The cells in G-Rh2,5-FU,G-Rh2+5-FU groups were treated with 10 mg · L-1 G-Rh2,25 mg · L-1 5-FU and 10 mg · L-1 G-Rh2+25 mg · L-1 5-FU respectively,while those in control group were untreated.Synergistic cytotoxic effect of G-Rh2 and 5-FU was calculated.The cells were observed for morphological change by confocal microscopy,for apoptosis by flow cytometry,analyzed for breakage of caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP)by immune fluorescent staining.Results The MTT results showed that G-Rh2 can lead to the increase of mortality in 5-FU-induced MCF-7 cells.And the morphology,cell cycle,caspase-3 and PARP apoptotic protein immunofluorescence experiments indicated that G-Rh2+5-FU group can significantly increase MCF-7 human breast cancer cell death and cell death belong to apoptosis.Conclusions G-Rh2 can sensitive 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)in MCF cells,and can induce apoptotic with the synergy effect.