title: [Baicalein promotes the apoptosis of HeLa cells by inhibiting ERK1/2 expression].
abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of baicalein and U0126 treatment on the apoptosis of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells and the potential mechanism. Methods HeLa cells were subjected to (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300) μmol/L baicalein or (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30) μmol/L U0126 treatment for 24 hours. The optimal concentrations of baicalein and U0126 for HeLa inhibition was determined by a cell counting Kit-8 assay. HeLa cells were then treated with these inhibitory concentrations for 24 hours separately or in combination. The cell cycle and the degree of apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The cell apoptosis index was evaluated by the TUNEL assay. The expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Bax, and Bcl-2 at the mRNA and protein levels were examined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Optimal inhibitory concentrations of baicalein and U0126 for HeLa cells were 200 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L, respectively. Compared with the control group, baicalein treatment increased the growth rate of cells in the G0/G1 phase but decreased the S phase. Combination treatment of 200 μmol/L baicalein and 10 μmol/L U0126 for 24 hours further reduced the S phase growth rate. Treatment with 10 μmol/L U0126 or 200 μmol/L baicalein for 24 hours induced cell apoptosis, and the combination treatment induced more apoptosis. Treatment by baicalein alone or in combination with U0126 for 24 hours significantly decreased ERK1/2 and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions, and upregulated Bax mRNA expression. It also downregulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation and Bcl-2 protein expression, while increasing Bax protein expression. Conclusion Both baicalein and U012 appear to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and increase the growth rate in the G0/G1 phase but reduce the S phase of HeLa cells. This effect is enhanced when they are used synergistically.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated TCM Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
authors: Yongzhou
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Experimental Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Department of Science and Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
authors: Jiyi
authors: J
authors: Xia
authors: Experimental Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
authors: Xiaoping
authors: X
authors: Tang
authors: Experimental Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Tang
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
authors: Xiguang
authors: X
authors: Mao
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
authors: Yujiao
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated TCM Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China. *Corresponding author, E-mail: xiaolanyu163@163.com.
authors: Xiaolan
authors: X
authors: Yu
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002070:Butadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002070:Butadienes; D044950:Flavanones; D009570:Nitriles; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; C113580:U 0126; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C006680:baicalein; C535150:MAPK1 protein, human; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1