Total saponins in Rubus parvifolius L. induce lymphoma cells apoptosis through upregulated Bax/Fas and downregulated Bcl2 in vivo and in vitro

Purpose: To investigate the effect of total saponins of Rubus parvifolius L. (TSRP) on lymphoma Raji cells and further discuss its mechanism. Methods: The model of nude mice bearing Raji cells was established, the volume, weight and inhibition rate of the transplanted tumor were analyzed and compared after different concentrations of TSRP treatment. Cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl2, Bax, Fas proteins were detected by TUNEL and immunohistochemiscal method respectively. Effects of TSRP on cell proliferation were tested with MTT assay in vitro. Cell apoptosis and expression of Caspase9, Caspase3, Bcl2, Bax and Fas proteins were tested with DAPI staining and Western blot. Results: TSRP significantly reduced the volume and tumor weight of Raji subcutaneous transplanted tumor and induced the apoptosis of Raji cells in vivo. The tumor inhibition rate of highdose (100 mg/kg) TSRP is 90.84%. The TUNEL test results show that the fluorescence intensity of the tumor issue treated with TSRP is significantly improved. Compared with the control group, the fluorescence intensity of highconcentration TSRP is 82.43 #177;7.81, which is significantly different (P lt;0.001). The results of immunohistochemistry test showed that the Bcl2 expression of Raji cell treated with TSRP is obviously reduced, and Bax expression is obviously increased. Meanwhile, compared with that of control group, Fas expression is obviously reduced. MTT assay showed that TSRP can significantly inhibit proliferation of Raji cells with dose dependence. The inhibition rate of 400 μg/mL TSRP is 53.46 #177;4.90% (P lt;0.001). DAPI staining results showed that TSRP can significantly induce cell apoptosis. According to Western blot results, it is found that TSRP can significantly inhibit activity of Bcl2 and increase Bax expression, and TSRP can also inhibit Fas expression. Meanwhile, expression of Caspase9 and Caspase3 is also increased. Conclusion: TSRP could inhibit the proliferation of lymphoma via induction of apoptosis in a time and dosedependent manner. Apoptotic signaling induced by TSRP was characterized by upregulating Bax, Fas and Caspase8 protein expression, and downregulating of Bcl2 protein expression.