Abstract

Casticin, one of the main components from Fructus Viticis, has been reported to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells, including the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa. The purpose of this study was to examine the apoptotic activity and molecular mechanism of casticin action on human cervical cancer cells. The apoptotic activity of casticin on human cervical cancer HeLa, CasKi, SiHa and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured using a histone/DNA ELISA assay, flow cytometry with propidium iodide (PI) staining and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. Caspase activities were assayed using a caspase colorimetric activity assay kit. Protein expression levels of cytochrome c, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and XIAP were analyzed by Western blotting. Casticin caused accumulation of the Sub-G1 cells and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HeLa, CasKi, SiHa cell lines, but not in PBMCs. Apoptosis of HeLa cells was induced by casticin via mitochondrial 

 Casticin was purchased from Chengdu Biopurify Phytochemicals Ltd. (Chengdu, China).