Inhibitory Effect of Shikonin on the Proliferation of Human Cervical Carcinoma HeLa Cells and Induction Effect of It on the Apoptosis of HeLa Cells

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the inhibitory effect of shikonin on the proliferation of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells and induction effect of it on the apoptosis of HeLa cells.METHODS:After exposed to shikonin 10 μg/ml,the morphological changes of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells were observed.The cell activity was determined by MTT,and the inhibitory effect of shikonin on HeLa cells was detected.The apoptosis pathway was studied by determining the activities of caspase-3,caspase-8,and caspase-9.Flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis and cell cycle.RESULTS:Shikonin 10 μ g/ml could made the HeLa cell death.Shikonin 1-20 μg/ml could inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cell;there was statistical significance(P 0.01或P0.05).Shikonin 1,5,10,15,20 μg/ml could enhance the activities of caspase-3,caspase-8 and caspase-9;there was statistical significance(P0.01,P0.05).Shikonin 1,5,10,15,20 μg/ml could induce the apoptosis of HeLe cells and block the process of cell cycle,especially,increasing the S phase cell.CONCLUSIONS:Shikonin can inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells and induce the apoptosis of HeLa cell.