[The inhibit effect of berberine on human colon cell line cyclooxygenase-2]

To investigate the effect of berberine on human colon cancer cell line HT-29 and the mechanisms of the effects.

Add 0.1, 0.3, 3.0, 30.0 micro mol/L berberine into the HT-29 cell culture media. The related values were recorded everyday. NS-398 was used as a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme activity inhibiting agent. The related values included cell growth, test of COX-2 mRNA using RT-PCR method, expression of COX-2 protein with immunocytochemical method, and concentration of prostaglandin E(2) with ELISA method.

When the concentration of berberine was higher than 0.3 micro mol/L, there was a significant dose-dependent effect. When the berberine concentration was higher than 0.3 micro mol/L, berberine could inhibit the COX-2 in mRNA and protein level. It could decrease the concentration of prostaglandin E(2) in the culture media.

Berberine can inhibit COX-2 in mRNA and protein level. It can also inhibit the activity of COX-2. This may be one of the mechanisms that berberine inhibit the growth and proliferation of HT-29 human colon cell line.