Abstract: Objective : To investigate the effects of Compound I abstracted from ling ling pellet on human Hela cell so as to explore its mechanism. Methods: Growth inhibition was assayed with MTT. The morphological changes of Hela cells induced by compound I were observed with transmission electronic microscope and phase contrast microscope. Cell division cycle distri- bution and apoptosis affected by compound I was determined with flow cytometry. Results: The growth of human Hela cells is significantly inhibited which display strong in a dose and time-dependant manners against and induced apoptosis of Hela cells. Hela cell with estimated IC50 values of 10.9mg/L, concentration of 25, 12.5, 6.25mg/L inhabiting rate is 52.04%, 34.44%, 23.72% after 30h of treatment with compound I. Concentration of 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125mg/L inhabiting rate is good correlation (r=0.9860, p<0.01). Expose of Hela cells to 25, 12.5, 6.25mg/L of compound I induced nuclear shrinkage, chromatin conden- sation and margination against nuclear envelope as seen in apoptotic cells. The follow cytometry profile revealed that treatment with different Concentrations compound I inducted apoptosis. Conclusion: Growth of human Hela cells was significantly inhibitory and apoptosis may play an important role in the anti-tumor effect of active compound I.

Key words: ling ling pellet, Hela cell, cell apoptosis