US EPA

1247958 

Journal Article 

Realgar-induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cell line Siha via cytochrome c release and caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation 

Cheng, YX; Liu, R; Wang, Q; Li, BS; Xu, XX; Hu, M; Chen, L; Fu, Q; Pu, DM; Hong, L 

2012 

Yes 

Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine
ISSN: 1672-0415
EISSN: 1993-0402 

18 

5 

359-365 

English 

21526368 

10.1007/s11655-011-0697-z 

WOS:000303362100007 

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism of realgar-induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cells.

METHODS: The cervical cancer cell line Siha was used to determine the cell viability and apoptosis after treatment with realgar using MTT assay and flow cytometry. The activities of caspase-3, -8, and -9 were detected by fluorescence resonance energy transfer technology and colorimetric assay, while the levels of Bcl-2, cytochrome c, and Bax were detected by Western blot method.

RESULTS: Induction of apoptosis by realgar was detected in Siha cell line in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptosis was accompanied by a significant increase in cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 but not caspase-8. Further, the realgar-induced apoptosis was inhibited by a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, a caspase-3 inhibitor, and a caspase-9 inhibitor but not by a caspase-8 inhibitor. Bcl-2 and Bax protein expressions were not changed by realgar.

CONCLUSION: The induction of apoptosis by realgar is mediated through a cytochrome c-dependent pathway, which sequentially activates caspase-9 and caspase-3.