Effect of artemisinin on the growth of HeLa cells

Objective To investigate the effect of artemisinin(ART) on the growth of HeLa cells in vitro. Methods The antiproliferation activities of ART were evaluated on HeLa cells by means of trypan blue dye and MTT assay. The morphological changes of ART on HeLa cells were observed under transmission electromi-croscope. Cell survival ratio influenced by ART was assessed by a flow cytometer. Results After HeLa cells were treated by ART for 48 hours, the growth of the cells were inhibited in vitro , the IC50 of ART was 55.58 umol/L; there were some typical changes of apoptosis by transmission electromicroscopy. Conclusion ART can inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells and induce their apoptosis.