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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 21, 2006; 12(7): 1133-1135
Published online Feb 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i7.1133
In vitro porcine brain tubulin assembly inhibition by water extract from a Chinese medicinal herb, Tripterygium hypoglaucum Hutch
Zi-Qin Liang, Neng Cao, Zhong- Kui Song, Xu Wang
Zi-Qin Liang, Neng Cao, Zhong- Kui Song, Xu Wang, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650092, Yunnan Province, China
Co-first-author: Zi-Qin Liang
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No, 30560061 and the International Scientific Cooperation Project of Yunnan Province.
Correspondence to: Xu Wang, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650092, Yunnan Province, China.jxabcdef@public.km.yn.cn
Telephone: +86-871-5516759 Fax: +86-871-5516759
Received: July 15, 2005
Revised: July 29, 2005
Accepted: December 19, 2005
Published online: February 21, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of Tripterygium hyp-oglaucum Hutch (THH) on the assembly and disassembly process of tubulin and its possible mode of action.

METHODS: In vitro porcine brain tubulin assembly assay was employed to analyze the inhibitory effects of THH at different concentrations (0.05 μg/L, 0.07 μg/L, 0.09 μg/L). Colchicine (0.0025 mmol/L, 0.0050 mmol/L, 0.0075 mmol/L) was used as a positive control.

RESULTS: THH could significantly inhibit the assembly of isolated porcine brain tubulin at all tested concentrations.

CONCLUSION: THH is capable of inducing aneuploidy in mammals via tubulin polymerization inhibition pathway and may pose a genetic risk to human beings.

Keywords: Tripterygium hypoglaucum (level) Hutch, Tubulin assembly-disassembly