Effects of berberine on proliferation and apoptosis of HUVECs / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of berberine’s inhibiting growth and metastasis of tumor by observing the effects of berberine on proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: Cultured HUVECs were incubated with berberine. MTT assay and quantitative immunocytochemistry were used to detect cell proliferation and the expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Morphologic changes of apoptosis were observed by fluorescent staining, and Rhodamin123 was used to determinate mitochondrial membrane potential under the laser confocal microscopy. RESULTS: HUVEC proliferation was inhibited by co-incubating with berberine (20 mg/L) for 24 h and berberine (10 mg/L, 20 mg/L) for 48 h (P