Berberine on Inducing HL-60 Cells Differentiation and Cytostatic Effect

To study effects of berberine on the proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 cells. Methods Cell inhibitory effect were determined by trypan blue dye exclusion test, growth curve method and colony formation. Cell differentiation was analyzed by morphological changes, NBT reduction and cell surface antigen. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The growth of HL-60 cells was significantly inhibited by berberine. The IC-{50} to HL-60 cells of berberine was 5 29, 2 65, 0 74 mg/L after in vitro treatment for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, respectively. 1, 2, 4, 8 mg/L berberine could induce differentiation of HL-60 cells: morphological evaluation indicated that the berberine-treated cells exhibited granulation appearance; NBT reduction was significantly increased; expression of CD-{11b} increased, and 85 1% of the HL-60 cells expressed CD-{11b} after treated with 4 mg/L berberine.