Effects of quercetin on the proliferation and apoptosis of A375 human melanoma cells

doi:10.11786/sypfbxzz.1674-1293.20160304

Abstract：ObjectiveTo study the effect of quercetin on the proliferation and apoptosis of A375 human melanoma cells. Methods Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to evaluate the proliferative activity of A375 cells which treated with quercetin of 0, 20, 40, 80, 160μmol/L for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h respectively. Subsequently, A375 cells that treated with the same method underwent double staining with annexin V and propidium iodide for the detection of cell apoptosis, and lfuorometric assay for the estimation of Caspase 3, Caspase 8 and Caspase 9 activity, and Western blot for the determination of the levels of p53, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins.ResultsWithin the investigated concentration and time ranges, quercetin signiifcantly inhibited the proliferative activity of A375 cells in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. Compared with blank groups, a signiifcant increase was observed in the early apoptosis rate in A375 cells treated with quercetin of 0, 20, 40, 80, 160 μmol/L for 24 h (11.20±1.68)%, (12.44±1.68)%, (24.55±0.58)% and (47.68±0.79)% vs (3.02±0.49)%, (P<0.05 or 0.01), as well as in the activity of Caspase 3, 8 and 9 in A375 cells treated with quercetin of 80, 160μmol/L for 24 h (P<0.05 or 0.01). After 24 h treatment, the protein levels of p53 and Bax were elevated, but Bcl-2 was decreased in A375 cells with the increase of quercetin concentration.ConclusionQuercetin can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A375 cells, and the apoptosis-inducing effect may occur through modulating the express of p53 and Bcl-2/Bax genes.