Effects of Berberine on the Expression of Caspase-3 Gene in Human Cervical Cancer Hela Cell

Objective To investigate the effects of berberine on inducing the proliferation,apoptosis and expression of Caspase-3 gene in human cervical cancer Hela cell line in vitro.Methods The apoptosis rate of Hela cells were determined with MTT method after treating with different concentrations of berberine(0~40 μmol/L).The expression of Caspase-3 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.Results The inhibitory effect of berberine on the growth of Hela cell lines was in a time and dose dependent manner.The apoptosis rate and Caspase-3 mRNA expression were obviously increased following the increasing concentration of berberine(P﹤0.01).Conclusion Berberine could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of Hela cells,which may be related to the upregulation of Caspase-3 mRNA expression.