Effects of berberine on the proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 cells

Aim To study effects of berberine on the proliferation a nd differentiation of HL-60 cells. Methods Cell inhibitory effec t was determined by growthcurve method and colony formation.Cell differentiation was analyzed by cytomorphological changes, NBT reduction and cell surface antig en.Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results The growth o f HL-60 cells was significantly inhibited by berberine in a time and dose-depe ndent manner.1,2,4,8 mg·L -1 berberine induced differentiation of HL-60 c ells: Morphological evaluation indicated that the berberine-treated cells exhibited granulation appearance; NBT reduction was significantly increase d; expression of CD11b increased obviously. Flow cytometry analysis showed that berberine arrested HL-60 cells in G 0/G 1 phase, the percent of the cells in S phase decreased.Conclusion Berberine can induce differentiatio n and growth inhibition of HL-60 cells