Anti-tumor activity of bufothionine

Aim: To investigate the anti-tumor activity of bufothionine,which is an extract of toad skin. Methods:ECa109,HepG2,and A549 cells were used to assess the inhibitory effect of bufothionine. The cells were all allocated into 9groups and treated with bufothionine at 0. 125,0. 250,0. 500,1. 000,2. 000,4. 000,8. 000,16. 000,and 32. 000 μg /L. The inhibition effect of bufothionine was analyzed by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis and the cell cycle distribution,by flow cytometry. Kunming mice bearing ascites tumor were allocated into 5 groups at random: control group,5-fluorouracil group[20mg /( kg·d) ],bufuthionine low-,middle-,and high- dose[30,20,15 mg /( kg·d) ] groups. The treatments were given 7times and the interval was 24 h. After the last treatment,a half mice were executed and the ascites were collected. Ascites inhibition rate and tumor cell persistence rate were calculated. The other half were used to observe the survival status. Results: Bufothionine had dose-dependent inhibitive effects on the tumor cells especially on HepG2( F = 6. 785,29. 641,and14. 455,P 0. 05). Bufothionine could induce cell apoptosis and arrest the cells at G2phase; bufothionine could inhibit the produce of ascites and the survival of tumor cells,and prolong the survival of mice bearing ascites tumor( F = 412. 321,900. 735 and 1 151. 272,P 0. 05). Conclusion: Bufothionine has anti-tumor effects.