研究目的:本論文探討七層塔 (Ocimum gratissimum) 中的成份(如:咖啡酸和丁香酚)對於子宮頸癌細胞的反應模式。 研究方法及資料:利用HPLC儀器和分生相關技術,如細胞流式儀來偵測染色體斷裂情形;西方墨點法來觀察蛋白的表現情形,並探討這些化合物對於子宮頸癌細胞的影響。 研究結果:七層塔(Ocimum gratissimum)中的其中兩種成份 caffeic acid 和 eugenol 不論從物理性的研究:顯微鏡下的細胞型態與數量的改變,或化學性的研究:偵測活細胞中琥珀酸脫氫酶的表現皆會導致細胞死亡,甚至於從分生的研究:染色體斷裂的程度顯示細胞凋亡的發生,而且也由此推論其凋亡的路徑。 結論與建議:七層塔 (Ocimum gratissimum)中的咖啡酸和丁香酚皆可從抑制Bcl-2和引發P53和Cyto-c蛋白來引起細胞凋亡的發生。未來可期望此兩種化合物能進入動物實驗的模型甚至於人體的臨床實驗,發展成臨床上治療子宮頸癌的化學試劑或化學預防試劑。
Objective: This paper is to study the effects of the components in Ocimum gratissimum on cervical cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The techniques are used in this study such as HPLC, flow cytometric and Western blot analysis. For example: flow cytometric to detect the change in DNA and Western blot analysis to reveale that the components would activate various processed caspases. Results: Caffeic acid and eugenol in Ocimum gratissimum could significantly reduce the proliferation of HeLa cells by morphological and MTT result. Nuclei fragmentation was clearly observed after the cells were exposed to caffeic acid and eugenol by flow cytometric. Conclusion: Caffeic acid and eugenol in Ocimum gratissimum could induce apoptosis by inhibiting the activity of Bcl-2, and lead to the release of cytochrome c and P53 protein. These indicate that caffeic acid and eugenol induce apoptosis in the cells. The results suggest that caffeic acid and eugenol may be a promising chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent.