OBJECTIVETo observe whether the Ginsenosides (GS) could induce HL-60 cell line apoptosis from promyelocytic leukemia.

METHODSHL-60 cells were treated with GS of various concentration to observe the effect of GS on cell morphological change, the DNA content change by flow cytometry, DNA ladder by electrophoresis, and apoptosis rate by Annexin V-FITC test of the cells.

RESULTSGS could inhibit the growth of HL-60 cells and induce cell apoptosis in a certain scope of dose and reacting time.

CONCLUSIONGS could specifically induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells, which provides an experimental basis for treatment of leukemia with GS as an supplemntary agent of chemotherapy.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; DNA, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; pathology ; Humans

BACKGROUNDOptimizing treatment outcomes for depression requires understanding of how evidence-based treatments are utilized in clinical practice. Antipsychotic medications concurrent with antidepressant treatment are frequently used in major depression, but few studies have investigated trends and patterns of their use over time. This study aimed to examine the prescription patterns of antipsychotic medications for major depression in China from 2002 to 2012 and their association with treatment satisfaction and quality of life (QOL).

METHODSA total of 3655 subjects with major depression treated in 45 Chinese psychiatric hospitals/centers nationwide were interviewed between 2002 and 2012. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including psychopathology, medication side effects, satisfaction with treatment and QOL were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection.

RESULTSThe frequency of antipsychotic use was 24.9% in the whole sample; the corresponding figures were 17.1%, 20.3%, and 32.8% in 2002, 2006, and 2012, respectively (χ2 = 90.3, df = 2, P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that patients on concurrent antipsychotics had significantly more delusions or hallucinations, longer illness duration, greater side effects, and more likely to be treated as inpatients and in major hospitals (i.e., Level-III hospital). Antipsychotic use was associated with lower treatment satisfaction while there was no significant difference with respect to physical and mental QOL between the antipsychotic and nonantipsychotic groups.

CONCLUSIONSConcurrent antipsychotic use was found in about one in four treated depressed patients in China, which has increased over a 10-year period. Considering the association of drug-induced side effects and the lack of patients' and relatives' satisfaction with antipsychotic treatment, further examination of the rationale and appropriateness of the use of antipsychotics in depression is needed.

Adult ; Antipsychotic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Personal Satisfaction ; Psychotropic Drugs ; therapeutic use ; Quality of Life