Effect of Ginkgo blloba extract EGb761 via caspase-3 on apoptosis of HeLa cells induceced by inhibited TNF-α

Objective To investigate the effect of activation of caspase-3 in the role of Ginkgobiloba extract EGb 761 on apoptosis of HeLa cell induced by tumor necrosis factor-a. (TNF-α). Methods Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of EGb761 on the apoptosis of HeLa cell induced by rhTNF-a (recombined TNF-α). Western blot was used to detect the active fragments of caspase-3 p20. Colorimetric assay kits were used to determine the activity of caspase-3. Results The flow cytometry showed that EGb761 with final concentration 10-40 mg/L also had notably inhibited the apoptosis of HeLa cell via induced rhTNF-α (p 0. 01) and, it showed dose-dependent. The result of western blot showed that caspase-3 p20 was increased when HeLa cells were induced by rhTNF-a and it could be notably inhibited by different dosages of EGb761(10-40 mg/L) and the inhibition could be strengthened according to EGb761 concentration increasing. The detection of the activity of caspase-3 showed that EGb761 also had notable inhibition to caspase-3 activation induced by rhTNF-a and it was enhanced when dosage increased. Conclusion EGb761 inhibites apoptosis in HeLa cells by inducing rhTNF-a may has relation to the caspase-3 activation.