The anti-tumor effect of β-elemene on renal-cell carcinoma cells and the mechanisms involved

Objective:To investigate the anti-tumor effect of β-elemene on renal-cell carcinoma(RCC) 786-0 cells and the mechanisms involved.Methods: 786-0 cells were treated with different concentrations of β-elemene for 24,48 or 72 h.Cell viability was determined using MTT assay.Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were determined with flow cytometry following Propidium iodide(PI) staining.Expression of apoptosis associated proteins was detected by western blot.Results: β-Elemene inhibited the viability of 786-0 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Flow cytometry assay showed that β-elemene induced apoptosis,but had little effect on cell cycle distribution.Western bolt showed that β-elemene cleaved PARP and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and Survivin.Conclusion: The anti-tumor effect of β-elemene on RCC 786-0 cells might be associated with apoptosis induction.