Inhibitory effect of matrine on human cervical carcinoma Hela cells in vitro

Objective:To explore the inhibitory effect of matrine on human cervical carcinoma Hela cells in vitro. Methods:The Hela cells were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations (0.125～2.0 mg/ml) of matrine solution for 24～72 hours. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxin effect of matrine on Hela cells. FCM was used to detect the apoptosis of Hela cells. Transmission Electron Microscope analyses were carried out to examine the cell morphology. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was assessed to detect the mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and Bax gene expressions. Results:Different concentrations of matrines were cytotoxic to Hela cell in time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. The FCM analysis showed that the apoptosis rate increased after Hela cells were effected by matrine. Partial cells presented characteristic morphological changes under the transmission electron microscope. The results of RT-PCR showed that the rate of Bcl-2/Bax decreased when the matrine concentration increased. Conclusion:Matrine can inhibit the proliferation of human cervical carcinoma Hela cells in vitro. Inducing apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms.