Teng-Long-Bu-Zhong-Tang decoction promotes cell senescence of human colon carcinoma RKO cells and its possible mechanism

Objective: To observe the effects of Teng-Long-Bu-Zhong-Tang (TLBZT) decoction on cell senescence and the expressions of the related  regulatory genes in human colon carcinoma RKO cells. Methods: After RKO cells were treated with TLBZT decoction, the cell senescence was identified by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining, the transcription of cell senescence regulatory genes was detected by PCR array, and the expressions of proteins in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A)/ cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A)-retinoblastoma protein (RB)-E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) signal pathway were detected by Western blotting.Results: TLBZT decoction promoted cell senescence of RKO cells (P < 0.01). The transcription and expression of CDKN1A and CNKN2A were up-regulated (all P < 0.01) in RKO cells after treatment with TLBZT decoction, the transcription and expression of E2F1-targeted genes including cyclin A2 (CCNA2), cyclin E1 (CCNE1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) were down-regulated (all P < 0.05), and the phosphorylation of RB1 was inhibited (P < 0.01). Conclusion: TLBZT decoction promots cell senescence in RKO cells, and this effect may be related to CDKN1A/CDKN2A-RB-E2F1 signal pathway. DOI:10.3781/j.issn.1000-7431.2016.11.606