Antitumor effects of polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme against human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells
Authors: Jianxin Lu
Xiaoming Chen
Junfeng Zhang
Wenyuan Zhou
Wenjian Nie
Liqin Jin
Sairong Fan
Journal: Food and Chemical Toxicology (2017)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: Antitumor; Apoptosis; HepG2; Immunomodulatory; Sargassum fusiform polysaccharide.
Affiliations: Institute of Glycobiological Engineering, School of Laboratory Medicine & Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, School of Laboratory Medicine & Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China., Institute of Glycobiological Engineering, School of Laboratory Medicine & Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, School of Laboratory Medicine & Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Sargassum fusiforme (Harv.) Setchel, a kind of brown algae, has been applied as a therapeutic for thousands of years. This study was designed to investigate the antitumor effects of the polysaccharide (SFPS) from S. fusiform in liver cancer. The mice inoculated with HepG2 cells were orally administrated with SFPS at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. The products from peritoneal macrophages and serum in HepG2-bearing mice were measured. The effect of SFPS-induced cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were detected. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of SFPS was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Results showed that SFPS significantly inhibited growth of human HepG2 cell-transplanted tumor in nude mice, and remarkably increased serum TNF-α, IL-1, NO and IgM levels in HepG2-bearing mice. SFPS also promoted the cytokines (IL-1 and TNF-α) secreted by peritoneal macrophages in HepG2-bearing mice. SFPS exerted a stimulatory effect on apoptosis of HepG2 cells, increased the expression of Bax, and decreased the expression of Bcl-2. The results indicated that SFPS has anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities at the high concentration, and it could be used as a potential chemopreventative and/or adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent in liver cancer. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 The Western blots and other figures in this paper have an interesting layout that appears to be shared with many other papers, as discussed in a January 2020 post on Leonid Schneider s blog: https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing In almost all papers, Western blot panels within the same figure, and across figures and papers, appear to share the same background, while the bands are regularly spaced, all have similar rounded edges without the usual smudges and specks, and with some bands showing a recognizable  jumping sardine shape. Also in almost all papers, bar graphs show a characteristic layout with double-edged error bars - although this particular paper does not have the bars in solid shades of grey. Many papers have  cell viability and  apoptotic cells graphs. To illustrate the recognizable layout of the blots and graphs in this paper, here is a part of Figure 2. ![file] , 
 Retracted [14 February 2022] . ------------------------ This article has been retracted at the request of the Editors-in-Chief. Given the comments of Dr. Elisabeth Bik regarding this article u201c u2026 the Western blot bands in all 400+ papers are all very regularly spaced and have a smooth appearance in the shape of a dumbbell or tadpole, without any of the usual smudges or stains. All bands are placed on similar looking backgrounds, suggesting they were copy pasted from other sources, or computer generatedu201d, the journal requested the authors to provide the raw data. However, the authors were not able to fulfil this request and therefore the Editors-in-Chief decided to retract the article. , 
 Via http: www.most.gov.cn zxgz kycxjs kycxgzdt 202203 t20220318_179892.html u3000u30009. The paper  Long non-coding RNA LINC00978 promotes cell proliferation and tumorigenesis via regulating microRNA-497 NTRK3 axis in gastric cancer by Lv Baojun of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University as the corresponding author, and Bu Juyuan and Lv Weize as the co-first authors. After investigation, it was found that the paper had the behavior of ghostwriting, falsifying research data, violating scientific research ethics, and submitting more than one manuscript. Lv Baojun will be dealt with as follows: 5 years of qualifications for promotion, application for scientific and technological plans (special projects, funds, etc.), and evaluation for merit will be cancelled, and he will not be hired as a teacher. Bu Juyuan (merged with another paper) will be dealt with as follows: revocation of the post of deputy director of the emergency department, cancellation of promotion titles, application for scientific and technological plans (special projects, funds, etc.) projects, assessment and evaluation of qualifications for 7 years, and shall not apply for accreditation for life Graduate tutor qualification, not to be employed as a teacher, stay on the party probation for 2 years, and reduce the post grade by two levels; Lv Weize will be dealt with as follows: cancel the promotion title, apply for scientific and technological plans (special projects, funds, etc.) projects, evaluation and other qualifications 5 Years, lifelong can not apply for the qualification of postgraduate tutor, not to be employed as a teacher, and the post grade will be lowered by one level. u3000u3000(Notification link: http: xuefeng.sysu.edu.cn gzdt 1398704.htm) ,