Purpose: To study the effect of β-elemene on the radiosensitivity of A549 cell xenograft tumor and potential mechanisms by which β-elemene regulates the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α ) and glucose transporter protein-1 (GLUT-1 ).
Methods: Using an A549 cell transplantation tumor model with male nude mice, we studied the effect of β-elemene on the radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The expression of HIF-1α  and GLUT-1  was detected by real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the radiosensitivity of β-elemene and the expression of HIF-1α  and GLUT-1  was analyzed.
Results: β-elemene and radiotherapy intervened in the growth of transplanted tumors in varying degrees. The enhancement factor (EF=2.44> 1) was calculated; β-elemene at 45 mg/kg had the most significant enhanced effect on radiosensitivity. When β-elemene was used in combination with radiation, the expression of HIF-1α  and GLUT-1  was significantly decreased, and there was a positive correlation between the two genes.
Conclusion: β-elemene exhibits a radiosensitizing effect on A549 cell xenograft tumor. The underlying molecular mechanism is probably associated with the down-regulation of HIF-1α  and GLUT-1  expression, suggesting that β-elemene may directly or indirectly inhibit the expression of HIF-1α  and GLUT-1 . There is a positive significant correlation between expression of HIF-1α  and GLUT-1 . HIF-1α  and downstream GLUT-1  could be used as a new target for the radiosensitization of NSCLC.
Keywords: β-elemene, radiosensitivity, transplanted tumor, HIF-1α , GLUT-1