RESUMO
Objective: To investigate the growth inhibition effect of caffeic acid and DDP (cisplatin) on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells in vitro, and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods: A549 cells were cultured in vitro. The effect of caffeic acid alone or in combination with DDP on proliferation of A549 cells was detected by MTT assay. The effect of caffeic acid alone or in combination with DDP on apoptosis of A549 cells was detected by Hoechst33258 immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. The expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results: Caffeic acid or DDP alone or in combination could significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of A549 cells, and the combination of these two drugs had a synergistic effect. Western blotting result showed that the combination of caffeic acid and DDP synergistically inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 protein and enhanced the expression of Bax protein and the activation of caspase-3. Conclusion: Both caffeic acid and cisplatin may improve the growth-inhibitory and apoptotic activities of human lung cancer A549 cells in vitro. These effects are enhanced with the combination of caffeic acid and DDP in a synergistic manner. Copyright © 2012 by TUMOR.