Reversal Effect and Mechanism of Alopecurone B on MCF-7 Adriamycin-Resistant Subline

OBJECTIVE To study the reversal effect and the mechanism of APB on adriamycin (ADR)-induced multidrug-resistant human breast cancer MCF-7/ADR cells. METHODS ADR-resistant MCF-7 cells were maintained in RPMI-1640 culture medium containing 10%FBS and 250 ng/mL ADR. MTT assay， qPCR， Western blot and flow cytometry were used to determine the inhibitory effect of APB on P-gp levels and function in MCF-7 or MCF-7/ADR cells. RESULTS APB reversed MCF-7/ADR multidrug resistance at the concentration of 10 μmol/L. Treated with 0， 5， 10， 20 μmol/L of ABP， P-gp gene and protein levels were suppressed significantly in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore， APB in 10 μmol/L markedly inhibited the function of P-gp. CONCLUSION APB potent reversed the multidrug resistance in MCF-7 ADR-resistant subline. The mechanism referred to P-gp inhibition.