Synergistic effect of elemene combined with hyperthermia and cisplatin on human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549

Objective To observe the synergistic effect of elemene combined with hyperthermia and cisplatin on human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549.Methods The sensitivity of the cells treated with gradient concentration cisplatin and elemene in 42℃ or 37℃ water bath for 1.5 hours were detected by MTT assay.One hour and a half after treatment with water bath at 42℃ and cisplatin 4 μg/mL combined with elemene 15 μg/mL or 60 μg/mL,the inhibition ratio of the cells was detected by MTT assay and appearance of the cells was detected by transmission electron microscope.Results After hyperthermia,the IC50 values to cisplatin decreased from 22.44 μg/mL to 11.74 μg/mL.The IC50 values of elemene decreased from 35.43 μg/mL to 28.68 μg/mL.MTT assay showed elemene combined with hyperthermia and cisplatin had synergistic cell killing effect,and the cells of A549 appeared apoptosis.Apoptotic body and cellular necrosis could be seen.Conclusion Low concentration elemene can significantly increase the sensitivity of A549 cells to cisplatin combined with hyperthermia.