ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of tetrandrine on apoptosis of HeLa cervical cancer cells qualitatively and quantitatively. Methods We measured tetrandrine-induced inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation at different concentrations and time points by MTT assay. The rate of Hela cell apoptosis induced by tetrandrine was detected by flow cytometer and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Results Tetrandrine inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells in dosage- and time-dependent manners. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate was (51.8±0.97)% at the concentration of 15μmol/L, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (24.3±1.23)% (P<0.05). The cells treated with tetrandrine showed typical apoptotic morphology under CLSM. Conclusion Tetrandrine can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of HeLa cervical cancer cells.