OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of deguelin on the apoptosis and proliferation of human esophageal cancer cell Ec-109, and to explore its possible mechanisms.

METHODSHuman esophageal cancer cells Ec-109 were in vitro cultured. They were divided into the blank control group, and 5, 10, 20, and 40 nmol/L deguelin groups. The inhibition on the proliferation was detected at 24, 48, and 72 h using CCK-8 assay. The early apoptosis rate at 24 h was detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax were detected at 24 and 48 h respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group at the same point, the growth inhibition rate in all deguelin groups increased at 24, 48, and 72 h, showing statistical difference (P <0.05). The early apoptosis rate was 4.37% +/- 0.35%, 6.71% +/-0.14%, 15.62% +/- 0.21%, and 19.78% +/- 0.15% in 5, 10, 20, and 40 nmol/L deguelin groups, respectively, showing statistical difference when compared with that of the blank control group (1.10% +/- 0.08%, P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, Bcl-2 protein expression obviously decreased, and Bax protein expression obviously increased in 10, 20, and 40 nmol/L deguelin groups, showing statistical difference (P <0.05). The aforesaid indices were in time- and dose-dependent manners.

CONCLUSIONDeguelin showed obvious effects on inhibiting the proliferation of Ec-109 cells and promoting their apoptosis, which was correlated with up-regulating Bax protein expression and down-regulating Bcl-2 protein expression.