Salidroside induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cervical cancer SiHa cells

Background: Salidroside has potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-tumor activity. However, little is known regarding its effect on cervical cancer cells. This study investigated the effect of different concentrations of salidroside on the viability, cell cycling and apoptosis of cervical cancer SiHa cells and its potential mechanisms. Methods: Cell growth potential was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and colony formation. Cell cycle distribution was measured by flow cytometry. A light microscope was used to detect the morphology of SiHa cells. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of the indicated genes. Results: Treatment with different concentrations of salidroside significantly reduced the viability of SiHa cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Treatment with salidroside resulted in morphological changes in SiHa cells and induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M and/or S phase, which was associated with significantly decreased levels of Cyclin B1, Cyclin A and Cyclin-dependent kinase-2 expression but up-regulating P21 expression. Furthermore, treatment with different concentrations of salidroside induced the apoptosis of SiHa cells, and their effects were dose-dependent. Finally, treatment with salidroside enhanced the relative levels of cleaved caspase 3, Bax, and Fas expression but down-regulated the relative levels of BcL-2 and FasL expression in SiHa cells. These results demonstrated that salidroside had potent cytotoxicity against SiHa cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cervical cancer. Salidroside may be a promising candidate for cervical cancer chemotherapy.