ABSTRACT
Aim To study the mechanisms of N-demethyl-clarithromycin-induced apoptosis in human cervical cancer cell line HeLa. Methods MTT, photomicroscopical observation, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, LDH release and Western blot were used for apoptosis assay. Results N-demethyl-clarithromycin inhibited growth of HeLa in a time-dependent manner. Apoptotic bodies were found with Hoechst 33258 staining after treatment with 60 ?mol?L-1 N-demethyl-clarithromycin. DNA fragmentation was observed in N-demethyl-clarithromycin treated HeLa cells. The Akt inhibitor and the ERK inhibitor (PD98059) increased cell death. The expression of anti-apoptotic protein Akt, phosphorylated-Akt, ERK and phosphorylated-ERK decreased. Conclusion N-demethyl-clarithromycin induces HeLa apoptosis through Akt and ERK expression and phosphorylation.