Apoptosis-inducing effect of artesunate on K562 cells and its synergy with arsenious acid

OBJECTIVE: To study the apoptosis of K562 cells induced by artesunate in vitro, and its syrergy with arsenious acid. METHODS: Cell viability was determined by MTT assay.The cell apoptosis reduced by artesunate and/or arsenious acid was detected by ultrastructural changes, and flow cytometry in K562 cells treated. RESULTS: The cell proliferation was inhibited by artesunate and IC_ 50 at 48 h was 12.41 μg/mL. Artesunate induced K562 cells apoptosis at 12.50-50.00 μg/mL. Apoptotic ratios of K562 cells after treatment by artesunate 12.50 μg/mL compound with arsenious acid 1.00 μmol/L for 48 h was 21.07%, which was significantly different from the control and any of the compound alone,χ2=1 128.39,335.47,1 058.40, P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000. CONCLUSIONS: Artesunate may induce the apoptosis of K562 cells in vitro. And the induction of apoptosis in K562 by artesunate compounding with arsenious acid has the synergistic action.