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Objective To investigate the effect of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) mediated autophagy on the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to 125I particles irradiation. Methods Hepatoma cell lines Huh7 and LM3 were exposed to different doses (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy) of 125I particles, and cell autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Then, autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ), agonist rapamycin (Rapa), and PGRMC1 inhibitor AG-205 were used respectively to verify that PGRMC1-mediated autophagy plays a key role in the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to 125I particle irradiation. Cell proliferation, colony formation and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assay, clonal formation test and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression levels of PGRMC1, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-Ⅰ (LC3-Ⅰ), LC3-Ⅱ and p62 were detected by Western blotting. Results Different doses of 125I particles irradiation significantly decreased the proliferation and clonogenesis of Huh7 and LM3 cells (P < 0.05), and increased the apoptotic cells (P < 0.01), in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the 0 Gy group, the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/ LC3-Ⅰ in Huh7 and LM3 cells was obviously increased, and the expression of p62 was significantly down-regulated in the 6 Gy group. The proliferation capacity and clonal formation ability of Huh7 and LM3 cells were decreased significantly, and their apoptotic cells were increased notably in the 6 Gy+CQ group than the 6 Gy group, while the above results were on the contrary in the 6 Gy+Rapa group. The 6 Gy+AG205 group had notably decreased LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio in the Huh7 and LM3 cells, up-regulated p62 expression, reduced cell proliferation capacity and clone formation ability, and enhanced cell apoptosis when compared with the 6 Gy group, and the above results of the 6 Gy+PGRMC1 group were opposite. Conclusion Increment of PGRMC1 induced by 125I irradiation can promote autophagy, increase the proliferation and clonogenesis, and reduce the apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Objective To investigate mechanism and effect on (-)-gossypol enhancing epirubicin killing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods HCC cells (Hep 3B and HuH7) were divided into 8 groups: control, (-)-gossypol, epirubicin, combination, si-control+epirubicin, si-X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP)+ epirubicin, empty vector+ combination and pEBB-XIAP+ combination groups. Cell viability of each group was detected by CCK-8 assay; Cell apoptosis of each group was detected by flow cytometry and the level of cleavaged PARP, XIAP and eIF4E phosphorylation was detected by Western blot assay. Results Compared with the control group, no major effect was observed on cell viability exposed to (-)-gossypol in 5 μmol/L (P>0.05). Combination of (-)-gossypol and epirubicin significantly enhanced the anti-survival effect on HCC cells (P < 0.05), promoted cells apoptosis, increased the induction of cleavaged PARP, and inhibited XIAP up-regulation and eIF4E phosphorylation induced by epirubicin in HCC cells. Silencing XIAP promoted epirubicin to kill HCC cells and induced PARP cleavaged; Furthermore, XIAP over-expression attenuated epirubicin-induced anti-survival and pro-apoptosis of HCC cells enhanced by (-)-gossypol. Conclusion The combination of (-)-gossypol and epirubicin significantly inhibits HCC cells' survival and promotes cell apoptosis via suppressing epirubicin-induced phosphorylation of eIF4E and up-regulation of XIAP, suggesting that (-)-gossypol holds promise as a sensitizer for epirubicin-based HCC therapy.

In this study, the effects of two plant growth-promoting bacteria Klebsiella michiganensis TS8 and Lelliottia Jeotgali MR2 on the growth and cadmium (Cd) uptake of Arabidopsis thaliana under Cd stress were explored. A wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana was selected as the experimental plant and was planted at different Cd concentrations. MR2 and TS8 bacterial suspensions were sprayed onto the rhizospheric soil during the planting process. The initial Cd concentration of the bought soil was 14.17 mg/kg, which was used as the pot soil of the low-concentration Cd treatment group (LC). The concentration of soil Cd at high-concentration Cd treatment group (HC) were 200 mg/kg higher than that at LC group. Compared with the control group, MR2 suspension significantly promoted the growth of A . thaliana at both low and high concentrations, while TS8 strain and MR2&#95;TS8 mixture only exhibited growth-promoting effect at high concentration. However, it was noteworthy that, TS8 suspension significantly reduced the Cd content in the underground parts of A . thaliana (60% and 59%), and significantly improved the Cd content in the aboveground parts of A . thaliana (234% and 35%) at both low and high concentrations. In addition, at low concentration, both single strain and mixed strains significantly improved the transformation from reducible Cd to acid-extractable Cd in soil, promoted Cd intake, and thereby reduced the total Cd content in soil. Therefore, the rational application of plant growth-promoting bacteria may improve crop yield and remediate Cd contamination in soil.

Objective: Through determination of the dynamic change of the active component in different parts of Prunella vulgaris at different growth stages, to find the optimal harvest time., Method: Total flavonoids content was determined by using the spectrophotometric method, and the content of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid was determined by HPLC. The contents of ash and extract were determined according to the methods in Chinese Pharmacopeia (2005 edition)., Result: There existed the active components in all parts of P. vulgaris, but the active component contents in different parts of P. vulgaris of at different growth stages, changed very obviously., Conclusion: In Yangtze-Huaihai region, the optimal harvest time of Prunella spike best harvest is at the end of June, and Prunellastem at the end of May. All parts of P. vulgaris have medicinal value.