[Artesunate Suppresses Cell Proliferation of THP-1 Cells by Inducing Apoptosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Artesunate(ART) can inhibit the proliferation of THP-1 cells and to explore the potential mechanism of its anti-leukemia effect. METHODS: THP-1 cells were treated with 5 concentrations of Artesunate for 24 h, 48 h or 72 h. The viability of cells was detected with CCK-8 assay, apoptosis was assessed by using flow cytometry, and the STAT3, Caspase3 and Caspase8 protein levels were measured with Western blot . RESULTS: Compared with the control group, ART significantly inhibited the proliferation of THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner (r=0.9829, P<0.05). ART also increased the apoptosis of THP-1 cells. The results of Western blot showed that after treated with ART, the STAT3 protein expression in THP-1 cells was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01), and the expressions of Caspase3, cleaved Caspase3 and Caspase8 proteins were up-regulated(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Artesunate can inhibit the proliferation of THP-1 cells, which may relate with the down-regulation of STAT3 expression and the activation of Capase3 and Caspase8.