ABSTRACT
Objective To investiagate cell apoptosis and expressions of Bax,Bcl-2 andCaspase-3 in gambogic acid-treated colorectal cancer cells. Methods SW480/LOVO colorectal cancer cells were treated by gambogic acid. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK-8) was used to test cell proliferation. Microscopy was used to check the morphological changes. Immunofluorescence staining technique was used to detect cell apoptosis. Expressions of Bax,Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 protein were detected by Western blot assay. Results Gambogic acid inhibited the proliferation of SW480/LOVO in a dose and time-dependent manner. Gambogic acid could induce cell apoptosis. Gambogic acid increased expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax, increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression. Conclusion Gambogic acid can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of SW480LOVO cells, with the mechanism of up-regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 and activation of Caspase-3.