Apoptosis of Human Colorectal Cancer Cell SW480 Induced by Genistein and Its Molecular Mechanism

Objective To study the effect of genistein(GEN) on human colorectal cancer cell line SW480,and to investigate the mechanisms of its antitumor effect.Methods SW480 cells growth inhibition was measured by MTT assay.Cell cycle of SW480 cell treated with GEN in vitro was analyzed by flow cytometry.The protein levels of bcl-2,Bax were determined by using immunohistochemical technique.Results MTT assay showed that GEN might significantly inhibit proliferation of SW480 cell,in concentration-dependent manner.Flow cytometry analysis revealed that genistein arrested cell cycle in G2/M phase.SP immunohistochemistry revealed that the Bax expression was increased while bcl-2 expressed was decreased.Conclusion Genistein can significantly induce apoptosis of human colorectal cancer cell SW480,and the apoptosis of tumor cells is closely associated with down regulation of the ratio of bcl-2/Bax.2figs.,12refs.