[Effects of Oridonin combined with Capecitabine on the proliferaction of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells].

Objective To investigate the effects of oridonin combined with capecitabine on the proliferaction of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Methods Effect of different concentrations(10, 20 and 40 μmol/L)of oridonin, capecitabine and their combination on the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells after incubation for 24 or 48 h was studied. Then, the effect of 5 μmol/L of oridonin, capecitabine and their combination on cell colony formation was detected. Finally, influence of 20 μmol/L of oridonin, capecitabine and their combination on morphological alteration of nucleus, cell cycle and apoptosis was explored. Results The inhibition rate on MDA-MB-231 cells after incubation with 20 μmol/L oridonin or capecitabine for 48 h was 49.5% and 58.6%, respectively, while the inhibition rate against proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells reached 94.6% with combination of 20 μmol/L oridonin and capecitabine. Cells incubated with combination of oridonin and capecitabine formed fewer and smaller colonies (P<0.01). Meanwhile, cells in the combination group arrested at S and G2/M phases at the same time, and combination of two drugs caused more apoptotic cells (P<0.01). Conclusion Oridonin combined with capecitabine can synergistically inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Key words: Oridonin; Capecitabine; Antitumor; Breast cancer; Cell cycle