The inhibition and induction of apoptosis in HeLa cell by As_4S_4

Background and purpose:Tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide (As_4S_4) is a major component in realgar. In recent years, a series of studies had been undertaken both in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrated that As_4S_4 is effective for the treatment of cancer such as Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL), but the efficacy of the agent is not well studied for the treatment of cervical cancer. The study was to investigate the impact of As_4S_4 on HeLa cells in terms of cell growth inhibition and apoptosis.Methods:HeLa cells were incubated with As_4S_4 for the varieties of period (12,24,36,48,60 h) at different concentrations(7.5,15,30,60 mmol/L). Cell growth was measured by MTT. Apoptosis was detected by double staining flowcytometry (FCM) and DNA Ladder.Results:After treated with different concentrations of As_4S_4(7.5,15,30,60mmol/L), the cell growth was significantly suppressed in dose-and time-dependent manner, proliferative inhibition was statistically significant for the cells with and without the treatment of agent (P0.01). FCM analysis showed that As_4S_4 could markedly induce apoptosis, apoptotic rate for the cells exposure to different concentrations of As_4S_4(7.5,15,30,60 mmol/L) were (8.1±1.1)%,(29.6±2.5)%,(46±3)%,(62±4)%, respectively, there were significant differences compared to control group(2.8±1.8)%,(P0.01);DNA fragmentation gel analysis showed typical DNA ladder of apoptosis.Conclusions:As_4S_4 could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis in human HeLa cells.