Tea polyphenols induce the activity of caspase-3 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Objective: The current study was designed to investigate the apoptosis induced by tea polyphenols in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE1-LMP1 and molecular mechanism in the apoptotic process. Methods: After treatment of CNE1-LMP1 cells with various concentrations of tea polyphenols,apoptosis of the cells was detected by fluorescent microscopy, DNA gel electrophoresis, MTT assay and flow cytometry, and the activity of caspase-3 was detected by Western blot analysis and caspase-3 assay at different time points. Results:Typical nuclear condensation was observed under fluorescent microscopy, DNA Ladder appeared on the 2％ agarose gel. Survival rate of the cells was decreased. Furthermore, the activity of caspase-3 induced by tea polyphenols in time-dependent manner during apoptotic process. Conclusion: Tea polyphenols could induce apoptosis of CNE1-LMP1 and the activity of caspase-3 might be involved in the apoptotic process.