Effects of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398 on proliferation and apoptosis of cervical carcinoma cells

[Objective] To evaluate the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect of NS-398,a selective COX-2 inhibitor,on human cervical carcinoma cell line Hela in vitro.[Method] Hela cells were treated with different concentrations of NS-398 for 48 and 72 h.the proliferation of Hela cells was studied by MTT assay.The cell cycle distribution and apoptotic index were detected by flow cytometry analysis.[Results] NS-398 results in significant antiproliferative effects on hela cells in dose and time-dependent.After treated with 200 umol/L NS-398 for 48 h,NS-398 increased the proportion of cells in the G1 phrase and decreased the proportion in the S phrase of the cell cycle.however,the apoptotic index showed no difference.[Conclusion] NS-398 could effectively suppress the growth of hela cells in vitro,the mechanism probably relates to its blockage of cell cycle.