[Effect of cinobufagin on the expressions of bcl-2 mRNA and bax mRNA and the proliferation of lens epithelial cells].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of cinobufagin on the proliferation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) and the bcl-2 and bax mRNA expressions of rabbits.

METHODS

Cultured LECs were treated for 72 h with cinobufagin of different concentrations, the end titer was 0.1 mg/L for low, 0.2 mg/L for moderate and 0.3 mg/L for high concentration, respectively. The inhibitory rate of cinobufagin on LECs' proliferation was detected using MTT method; the mRNA expressions of bcl-2 and bax genes in LECs were examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

Proliferation of LECs was inhibited significantly by cinobufagin in a concentration dependent manner, the inhibitory rate was 24.65%, 30.13% and 36.98% respectively for low, moderate and high concentration. With the drug concentration increasing, the mRNA expression levels of the pro-apoptotic bax were increased, whereas those of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 decreased.

CONCLUSION

Cinobufagin can remarkably inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of LECs in vitro, it might be taken as one of the drugs for the prevention and treatment of after-cataract.