[Inhibitory effect of baicalein on the proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and mechanism].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of baicalein on the proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and its related mechanism.


METHODS
Osteosarcoma MG-63 cells that were cultured in vitro were respectively treated with 20 μL culture medium (control group), dehydrated alcohol (0 μmol/L baicalein group), 100 and 200 μmol/L baicalein solution for 48 hours. Cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay. The cell invasion ability was detected using Transwell(TM) invasion assay. The expression of ezrin mRNA was examined by real-time quantitative PCR. The expressions of ezrin protein and p-ezrin protein were measured using Western blotting. Apoptosis index (AI) was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL).


RESULTS
The inhibitory rates of cell proliferation significantly increased in 100 and 200 μmol/L baicalein groups as compared with 0 μmol/L baicalein group. Moreover, that was higher in 200 μmol/L baicalein group than in 100 μmol/L baicalein group. In comparison with control and 0 μmol/L baicalein groups, the mean cell numbers of permeated membrane and levels of ezrin mRNA, ezrin protein and p-ezrin protein gradually decreased, but AI was gradually elevated with the increase of baicalein concentrations, whereas there was no significant difference in these indicators between 0 μmol/L baicalein group and control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Baicalein can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. The mechanism may be associated with the inhibited expression and activity of ezrin protein and the promoted tumor cell apoptosis.
Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Zhibin
Z
Tang
Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Chun
C
Li
Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Zhiwei
Z
Chen
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000099149:Ezrin
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D044950:Flavanones; D000099149:Ezrin; C006680:baicalein