Mechanism of Combination of Matrine and Tetrandrine for Reversal of Multidrug Resistance of Breast Carcinoma MCF-7 Cells

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of combination of matrine and tetrandrine for reversal of multidrug resistance of breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells.Method: Human breast carcinoma MCF-7 and doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 / DOX cells were treated with matrine,tetrandrine and doxorubicin.The inhibition of drugs on cell proliferation was detected by MTT assays.The fluorescence intensity of Rho123 was detected by flow cytometry.The expression of P-glycoprotein was examined by Western blot.Result: The IC 50 value of matrine toward MCF-7 / DOX cell lines was similar to that of MCF-7 cells,indicating that the former has non-cross resistance to matrine.Flow cytometry analysis not only showed matrine reverse multi-drug resistance on MCF-7 / DOX,but also has synergy effect with tetrandrine.The cell proliferation inhibition of doxorubicin was obviously increased when the combination of matrine with tetrandrine.Furthermore,reduction of P-glycoprotein expression was detected in MCF-7 / DOX cells after exposure to matrine or combination with tetrandrine.Conclusion: Matrine has synergy effect with tetrandrine on reversal of multidrug resistance and reduction of P-glycoprotein expression in breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells.