RESUMO
Objective: To investigate the effect of black currant extract on human esophageal squamous cancer cell Eca109 line to reveal its probable mechanism. Methods: The survival cells and protein synthesis of tumor cell lines treated with 10-1, 10 -2,10-3 g/ml of the water extracts of black currant for 24 h were determined by MTT and Bradford assays, and the cell-DNA ploidy distribution and apoptotic rate were measured by flow cytometry (FCM) and morphological observation. Results: There was significant inhibition of the cell survival and protein synthesis of cancer cells at dose of 10-1 g/ml of the extracts. In the normal rat liver cells, the cell survival was not affected. An apoptosis peak appeared before diploid peak in FCM and apoptotic rate was 49.6%, and morphological change of apoptosis was observed. Conclusion: Black currant could significantly inhibit growth of human esophageal squamous cancer cell Eca109 line through inducing apoptosis.