Study on the mechanism of inhibition of matrine on the proliferation of retinoblastoma cells

Objective To evaluate the effects of matrine on retinoblastoma cells in vitro,and to explore the possible molecule mechanisms of its inhibition on the proliferation of retinoblastoma cell.Design Experimental study.Participants Cultured HXO-Rb44 cells in vitro.Methods After the cells were treated with matrine for various durations,S-period frequency(SPF)was evaluated with flow cytometry.The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)were analyzed with immunohistochemical stain technique.The positive results were assessed with integral optical density(IOD)in computer image analysis system.Main Outcome Measures SPF,IOD.Results Matrine down-regulated the SPF and inhibited the expression of PCNA in HXO-Rb44 cells at protein levels.The inhibition showed a time-dependent effect.Conclusion Matrine can inhibit the proliferation of retinoblastoma cells in a time-dependent manner.The effect associates with its down-regulating the expression of PCNA in retinoblastoma cells,which may be one of important mechanisms.It suggests that matrine may be a potent drug for the treatment of retinoblastoma.