Apoptosis induced by resveratrol in human osteosarcoma MG63 cells

Objective To investigate human osteosarcoma MG63 cell apoptosis induced by resveratrol and its molecular mechanism. Methods MG63 cells were treated with resveratrol of different concentrations.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe morphological changes of cell apoptosis. MTT method was used to detect the inhibition rate. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of the cells. The expression of p21 cip1/WAF1 mRNA and survivin mRNA were analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results The cell growth was inhibited significantly,with a time and dose dependent fashion. After resveratrol treatment,MG63 cells were induced to undergo morphological changes, which exhibited small cell bulk, decreased nucleus/cytoplasm proportion, karyopyknosis and conglomeration,which were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The subdiploid peak was observed by flow cytometry. The growth of MG63 cells was inhibited after resveratrol(10 μg/ml,20 μg/ml)treatment, the inhibition rates were (11.90%±0.63%) and (19.74%±0.88%)respectively(P0.01). The number of treated cells in G0/G1 phase increased, but that in S,G2/M phase decreased; The expression of p21cip1/WAF1 mRNA was up-regulated, while survivin mRNA was down-regulated (P0.01). Conclusion Resveratrol can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of MG63 cells. Its possible molecular mechanisms might be related to modulation the expression of survivin and p21cip1/WAF1.