AIM To study the mechanisms of oridonin-induced HeLa cell apoptosis. METHODS Morphological observation, agarose gel electrophoresis, LDH release and caspase inhibitors were used. RESULTS Oridonin had significant apoptotic effect on HeLa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The marked morphological changes including condensed chromatin, nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic bodies and DNA ladder in agarose gel was observed. The activity of caspase-3 was increased about 2 times of control value after treatment with oridonin. CONCLUSION Oridonin induces HeLa cell apoptosis through caspase pathway.

AIM To study the mechanisms of shikonin-induced HeLa cell apoptosis. METHODS Cytotoxicity assay by MTT, DNA fragmentation assay, LDH activity-based cytotoxicity assay and Western blot analysis were carried out. RESULTS Shikonin inhibited HeLa cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptotic cell death was observed within 24 h after 40 ?mol?L -1 shikonin treatment. Shikonin induced HeLa cell apoptosis involved in the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8, which is similar to the Fas or TNF-? signaling transduction pathways. CONCLUSION Shikonin induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells.

AIM: To examine the apoptotic pathway of norcantharidin (NCTD)-induced HeLa cells death. METHODS: MTT, photomicroscopical observation, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, LDH release and Western blot analysis were used. RESULTS: NCTD induced HeLa cells apoptosis and the apoptosis was partially reversed by the inhibitors of caspase-family (-3, -8, -10). The activities of caspase-3, -8 and -9 were significantly increased after treated with NCTD. The expression of the inhibitor of caspase-3 activated DNase (ICAD) was decreased in a time dependent manner. CONCLUSION: NCTD induces HeLa cells apoptosis through activating caspase pathways.