Pien Tze Huang (片仔癀)-induced apoptosis in human colon cancer HT-29 cells is associated with regulation of the Bcl-2 family and activation of caspase 3

• DOI: 10.1007/s11655-011-0846-4
• Publication Date: 2011-09-10T08:45:06Z
• Authors: Jiu-mao Lin; Li-hui Wei; You-qin Chen; Xian-xiang Liu; Zhen-feng Hong; Thomas J. Sferra; Jun Peng
• Keywords: Propidium iodide; Viability assay; Bcl-2 Family; Bcl-xL

To investigate the cellular effects of Pien Tze Huang (PZH) in the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell line.The viability of HT-29 cells was determined by MTT assay. A fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis with annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) and JC-1 staining were performed to determine cell apoptosis and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively. Activation of caspase 3 was evaluated by a colorimetric assay. The mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).PZH, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, reduced viability and induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells. Moreover, PZH treatment resulted in the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase 3, and an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.PZH inhibits the growth of HT-29 cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis via regulation of the Bcl-2 family and activation of caspase 3, which may, in part, explain its anticancer activity.