Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the anti-cancer role of bufalin in human pancreatic cancer CAPAN-2 cells and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods  The proliferation-inhibiting effect of bufalin on CAPAN-2 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay; the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry (FCM); the protein expression level of pro-caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, CDC25C, cyclinB1 and CDC2 were determined by Western blotting analysis. Results  Bufalin inhibited the proliferation of CAPAN-2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner; bufalin induced G2/M phase arrest in CAPAN-2 cells but failed to induce cell apoptosis; the protein levels of CDC25C, cyclinB1 and CDC2 were dramatically down-regulated while there were no significant changes in pro-caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax protein levels. Conclusion  Bufalin could inhibit the proliferation of CAPAN-2 cells by inducing G2/M phase arrest instead of apoptosis.

Key words: Pancreatic cancer; Bufalin; Cell cycle arrest; Apoptosis; Anti-caner effect