STUDY ON APOPTOSIS OF U937 CELLS INDUCED BY ARTESUNATE

Objective:To explore the inductive effect of artesunate on apoptosis of AML U937 cell and its potential mechanism.Methods:The inhibition effect of artesunate on the proliferation of U937 cells was detected by MTT colorimetric assay in vitro,the apoptosis of U937 cells was determined by cytomorphology approach,DNA-agarose gel electrophoresis and DNA-PI staining methods,the expression of Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase8 and ICAD protein during the apoptosis of U937 cells was detected by Western-blot assay.Results:Artesunate could obviously inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells in vitro,the inhibition rate was in proportion to the medical concentration,IC50 was 24.48μg/ml after cultured 48 hours,the inhibition effect on proliferation of U937 cells was related to their apoptosis.The expression of Bcl-2 and ICAD protein was decreased gradually with the increasing of artesunate concentration,but the expression of Bax protein was increased,the conspicuous shear activation zone was significantly observed on Caspase 8 protein.Conclusion:Artesunate can induce the apoptosis of AML U937 cell by either mitochondria-induced or extrinsic pathway.