Shikonin induce HeLa cell apoptosis via a caspase-dependent mechanism / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

AIM To study the mechanisms of shikonin-induced HeLa cell apoptosis. METHODS Cytotoxicity assay by MTT, DNA fragmentation assay, LDH activity-based cytotoxicity assay and Western blot analysis were carried out. RESULTS Shikonin inhibited HeLa cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptotic cell death was observed within 24 h after 40 ?mol?L -1 shikonin treatment. Shikonin induced HeLa cell apoptosis involved in the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8, which is similar to the Fas or TNF-? signaling transduction pathways. CONCLUSION Shikonin induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells.