title: Croton Tiglium Extract Induces Apoptosis via Bax/Bcl-2 Pathways in Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells
abstract: Objective: To investigate the impact of a Croton tiglium extract on cellular proliferation and apoptosis in a nonsmall
  cell lung cancer cell line (A549) in vitro. Methods: A Croton tiglium seed methanol extract was prepare and
  assessed for effects on A549 cells regarding cellular proliferation, apoptotic rates, and expression of apoptosis related
  genes and proteins using real-time PCR and immunofluorescence. Results: The tested Croton tiglium extract inhibited
  A549 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with significant elevation of apoptotic indexes at
  various concentrations after 24 h. In addition, rates in both early and late stages were higher in treated than untreated
  groups, the 100 μg/ml dose causing the highest levels of apoptosis. RT-PCR showed that A549 cells treated with 100
  μg/ml Croton tiglium extract for 24 h has markedly higher Bax mRNA expression levels and obviously lower Bcl-2
  expression levels than controls, equivalent results being observed for proteins by immunofluorescence. However, the
  mRNA expression levels of Fas and caspase-8 were not significantly altered. Conclusion: A Croton tiglium extract
  can inhibit proliferation of A549 cells and promote apoptosis though Bax/Bcl-2 pathways.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Cancer Therapy, Qingdao Central Hospital, No.127 Siliu South Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266042, P.R.China. Email: qdzxyyzcl2016@163.com
authors.forename: Changyou
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Rongli
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Fengjuan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chunling
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: Lung cancer; A549 cells; croton tiglium; apoptosis; Bax; Bcl-2