Effects of triptolide on human cervical cancer CaSki cells:an in vitro study

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanism of triptolide(TPL) on proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical cancer CaSki cells in vitro.Methods CaSki cells were cultured with 0,5,10 and 20ng/ml TPL for 24,48 and 72 hours,the cell proliferation was then observed by MTT assay,the morphological characteristics were observed by inverted phase contrast microscopy,and the expression of Ki-67 and p53 protein was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results Inverted phase contrast microscopy showed the CaSki cells in TPL treated groups were shrinkage and round,with reduced volume and rough surface,cell number declined,intercellular space dilated,and the changes were aggravated with the time elapsed and the TPL concentration increased.The 5,10 and 20ng/ml TPL showed inhibitory effects on the proliferation of CaSki cells in vitro in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Immunocytochemical staining showed that the expression of Ki-67 and p53 protein decreased in a time-and dose-dependent manner in CaSki cells cultured with TPL(P0.01).Conclusion TPL may effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of CaSki cells,and the mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of Ki-67 and p53 protein expression.