The direct anti-cancer efficacy of Sapylin on breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Objective: On the basis of our previous study in which we studied cancer cells under in vitro and in vivo hypoxia conditions, we have now investigated the anti-cancer efficacy of Sapylin on breast cancer cells in mice and human. Materials and Methods: We used different concentrations of Sapylin and the three kinds of breast cancer cells. We used water-soluble tetrazolium salt cell proliferation test (WST-1) to detect changes in cell proliferation and Fluorescein Iothiocyanate-Propidium Iodide (Anexin V FITC-PI) to detect changes in the rate of apoptosis by flow cytometry. We also used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect possible changes of mRNA expression and used western blot in order to test changes related to protein expression that could lead to cell death. The anti-tumor effect was studied by locally injecting Sapylin into an animal tumor model of breast cancer. We also studied the possible postoperative adverse clinical side effects in 60 female breast cancer patients, stage II-III, aged 25-55 years. The patients underwent a modified, radical operation with smooth incisions which healed well. Results: Sapylin was able to inhibit by 10%-15% the proliferation of all three kinds of breast cancer cells and also to present positive correlation in vivo with some phenomenona which were time and concentration dependent. After applying Sapylin for 48h, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased by 12%-20%. Apoptosis of breast cancer cells may be related to biological effects supporting cells survival, through B-cell lymphoma gene 2 (Bcl-2nd) Ki67 mRNA expression descent and Bcl-2 associated X Protein (Bax mRNA) expression. This process ultimately promotes cell death. At the same time this process also showed a significant anti-tumor effect (50%-60%) in a mice model. We found no significant adverse reactions, the patients had no significant pain and the postoperative wound was partially healed. After 5 days, the drainage was well reduced and remained so more in the study group than in the control group at a range of 20%-30% (P<0.05). Conclusion: In our research, Sapylin displayed a strong direct anti-cancer effect in breast cancer cells and supported postoperative recovery. Clinically we noticed an obvious reduction of drainage in contrast with the control group.