Effect of Kushen (Radix Sophorae flavescentes) extract on laryngeal neoplasm Hep2 cells

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of fermented extract of Kushen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) or non-fermented ESF on laryngeal neoplasms Hep2 cells.MethodsUse 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to explore the effect of fermented ESF and non-fermented ESF on Hep2 cells, and detect the mRNA and protein expression level of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.ResultsBoth fermented ESF and non-fermented ESF could inhibit laryngeal neoplasm's Hep2 cells, but and the cells did not response to the dilution 1: 320 of fermented ESF, nor to the 1: 1280 dilution of non-fermented ESF. As time progressed, the dilution 1: 80 of fermented ESF and 1: 320 dilution of non-fermented ESF could significantly reduce Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression and down-regulate Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression. Bax mRNA and protein were not expressed in Hep2 cells.ConclusionsBoth fermented ESF and non-fermented ESF could inhibit the proliferation of Hep2 cells, and the effect of non-fermented ESF was significantly better than that of the fermented.