Effect of Artesunate on the Expression of Caspase-3 in Human Embryonic Lung Fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of artesunate on the growth of human embryonic lung fibroblast HFL-I cells in vitro and provide experimental data for anti-fibrosis activity of artesunate.METHODS CCK-8 assay was used to determine the effect of artesunate on the growth of HFL-I cells in vitro.Apoptosis ratio was examined by flow cytometry(FCM).The mRNA level of Caspase-3,one of apoptosis related proteins,were assessed by RT-PCR.The expression of Caspase-3 protein was detected by Western blot.RESULTS Artesunate has a significantly inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HFL-I cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro.Flow cytometry assay demonstrated a higher distribution in G1 phase of HFL-I cells with artesunate.And apoptosis rate of HFL-I cells was significantly increased in artesunate-treated group compared with control group(P0.01).RT-PCR analysis showed the levels of Caspase-3 mRNA were significantly increased in artesunate-treated group,compared with control group.Western bloting also showed a significant enhancement of Caspase-3 protein levels in artesunate-treated group,when compared to control group.CONCLUSION Artesunate may exert marked anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect by up-regulating the mRNA and protein level of Caspase-3,which could induce the growth inhibition and apoptosis in HFL-I cells.