Dihydroartemisinin Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of U87 Cells by Increasing the Expression of Caspase-3

Objective To investigate the effect of dihydroartemisinin(DHA) on apoptosis and proliferation of U87 cells.Methods U87 cells were cultured with DHA(10,25,50,100,and 125 μmol·L-1) for 24,48 and 72 h.Cell counting(CCK-8) assay was employed to evaluate the survival of DHA-treated U87 cells.The induction of apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258.Effect of DHA on cell cycle of U87 cells was detected by flow cytometry.Caspase-3 activities were measured with Caspase-3 activity assay kit and reactive oxygen species(ROS) measured with reactive oxygen species assay kit.Results The results indicated that DHA induced apoptotic cell death in a dose-and time-dependent manner,which was accompanied by the activation of Caspase-3 and increased ROS.The IC50 was 97.04 μmol·L-1,59.76 μmol·L-1 and 33.20 μmol·L-1 at 24,48,and 72 h,respectively.The apoptosis cells and G0 to G1 phase cells increased after treated with 97.04 μmol·L-1 DHA,while the S phase cells decreased.Meanwhile,the expression of Caspase-3 was higher in the DHA treatment group compared with control group(P0.05).Conclusion Dihydroartemisinin exerts cytotoxic effect on U87 cells by altering the cell cycle,activating Caspase-3 activities and increasing the ROS.