Effects of sinomenine on synovioctye apoptosis,cell cycle and change of bcl-2 protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To explore the mechanism of sinomenine(SN) on synoviocyte apoptosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and provide new evidence for treatment of this condition.Methods The morphological changes of synoviocytes were observed by inverted microscope and fluorescence microscope.Synoviocyte apoptosis,changes of cell cycle and apoptosis-associated protein bcl-2 expression were measured by flow cytometry.Results The morphological changes typical of apoptosis,such as cell rounding,karyopyknosis and fluorescence enhancement,were observed.Flow cytometry showed,within a range of SN level from 2.8 mmol/L to 3.2 mmol/L,cell apoptosis rate increased in a concentration-dependent manner.The expression of Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated and the cell cycle blocked on G1 to S phase by SN lasting 48 h.Conclusion Given proper concentration and time of treatment,SN appears to induce synoviocytes apoptosis,which may be related with inhibited cell cycle from G1 to S and decreased expression of bcl-2 protein.