Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Pelagi-margarita extract is rich in germanium, selenium and other trace elements.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of pelagi-margarita extract on proliferation and apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma Hela cells.
METHODS: MTT method was used to detect the effects of different concentrations of pelagi-margarita extract on proliferation and apoptosis in cervical carcinoma Hela cells. The pelagi-margarita extract concentrations were 0, 6, 30, 45, 60, 75 and      150 mg/L. Cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V/Propidium Iodide double staining after treated with 0, 6, 30 and 60 mg/L pelagi-margarita extracts. Then the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry using PI staining. Expression of intracellular bcl-2 and bax mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Pelagi-margarita extract with the concentration from 6 to 45 mg/L inhibited the Hela cell proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner (P < 0. 05). Pelagi-margarita extract with the concentration of 60 to 150 mg/L inhibited the Hela cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0. 05), and the inhibition was time-independent. Pelagi-margarita extract with the concentration from 6 to 60 mg/L promoted Hela cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle arrested in the G1 phase. Pelagi-margarita extract with the concentration of 30 and 60 mg/L decreased intracellular bcl-2 mRNA expression and increased bax mRNA expression. These findings indicate that Pelagi-margarita extract inhibits Hela cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, and induces Hela cell apoptosis by down-regulating bcl-2 mRNA expression and up-regulating bax mRNA expression.