Abstract:

Objective: To explore the toxicity effect and mechanisms of Rhizoma sparganii flavonoids (RSF) on HeLa cells. Methods: The effect of RSF at a concentration range of 11.7 to 750μg/mL on the proliferation of HeLa cells was evaluated. The toxic mechanisms were elucidated by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and karyotype analysis. Results: RSF at a concentration higher than 188μg/mL could significantly (P < 0.01) inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner, and increase the proportion of apoptotic bodies (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the RSF treatment groups at doses of 375μg/mL (RSF-375) and 750μg/mL (RSF-750) revealed a significant decrease of HeLa cells number at M stage (P＜0.01), disappearance of intracellular interaction and an increase of cell volume. In addition, RSF-375 and RSF-750 also showed irregular morphological changes, an increase of synaptics and higher moving trend of microfilament, which were observed in monitoring the specific immnuofluorescence of microtubule protein. Conclusion: RSF is a group of bioactive components against HeLa cervical cancer cells, with the physiological functions of significantly inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis by interfering the mitosis of HeLa cells.

Key words: Rhizoma sparganii, flavonoids, HeLa cell, cervical cancer