Effect of NS398 on inducing apoptosis and down-regulating Bcl-2 protein in human osteosarcoma cell MG-63 line

Objective: This study investigated the effect of NS398 on anti-proliferation and the mechanism of inducing apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cell MG-63 line in vitro. Methods: Growth suppression was detected by MTT method. Special morphological changes of apoptosis were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and DNA fragments electrophoresis. The apoptotic rates were quantified by flow cytometry (FCM). And Bcl-2 protein level were detected by Western Blotting assay. Results: Different concentration NS398 inhibited the cell growth. Through TEM and DNA electrophoresis, the special morphological changes were observed after 24,48 and 72 h treatment with NS398. The apoptotic rates of MG-63 cells treated with NS398 were respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group( P ＜ 0.01). Western blot assay showed that NS398 reduced Bcl-2 protein expression. Conclusion: NS398 suppressed the proliferation of human osteosarcoma cell MG-63 line and induced apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with down-regulation expression level of bcl-2 protein.