Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effects of matrine on cell proliferation and apoptosis in CNE2 cells and identify the role of Caspase-3 in the process. METHODS: CNE2 cells were exposed to matrine in vitro for 48 hours. The concentrations of matrine were 0, 0.25,1.00 and 4.00 g/L. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined by double stained assay with Annexin-Ⅴ and PI. Caspase-3 protein level was determined with western blot assay. RESULTS: After treatment with 1.00,4.00 g/L matrine, the proliferation and cell viability of CNE2 cells were inhibited. It was only 65.1 and 50％ of control in each group of 1.00 and 4.00 g/L matrine, respectively. At the same time, apoptosis were increased after matrine treatment. The apoptotic percentages were 15.78％ and 28.44％ for 1.00 and 4.00 g/L matrine treated groups, respctively. After adjustment by β-actin protein level, the analysis of grey scale indicated that Caspase-3 level were 0.87±0.26, 1.22±0.34 and 1.69±0.46 for control, 1.00 g/L matrine and 4.00 g/L matrine groups, respctively. The level of Caspase-3 was obviously increased. CONCLUSION: Matrine could inhibit cell proliferation and enhance cell apoptosis. It could also activate the caspase pathway.

Key words: matrine, CNE2 cell, proliferation, apoptosis, Caspase-3