Gemcitabine inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells.

Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms by which gemcitabine (gem) inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells in vitro.

Materials And Methods: After PANC-1 cells had been treated by indicated concentration (0, 5, and 25 mg/L) of gem for 48 h, cell proliferation was evaluated by 3'-(4, 5 dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay; cell morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy; Expression of c-IAP2 and Bcl-2 proteins was analyzed by Western blot; the activity of caspase-3 and -9 was detected by spectrophotometry.

Results: Gem significantly inhibited cell proliferation and could induce apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells, with a dose-dependent manner.

Two new anthraquinone glycosides from the roots of Rheum palmatum.

Two new anthraquinone glycosides, named 1-methyl-8-hydroxyl-9,10-anthraquinone-3-O-β-D-(6'-O-cinnamoyl)glucopyranoside (1) and rhein-8-O-β-D-[6'-O-(3''-methoxyl malonyl)]glucopyranoside (2), have been isolated from the roots of Rheum palmatum, together with seven known compounds, rhein-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), physcion-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), chrysophanol-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), aleo-emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), aleo-emodin-ω-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), and emodin-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral analysis.