OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of icaritin on the proliferation and apoptosis of THP-1 cells and its mechanism.

METHODSAfter treated with various concentrations of icaritin, cell proliferation was detected by MTS method, and apoptosis was measured with flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining. Expression of BCL-2, BAX and Caspase-3 protein in THP-1 cell was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSAfter treatment with various concentrations (4-32 µmol/L) of icaritin for 24, 48, 72 h, the inhibition rate of cell growth significantly increased (P<0.05) in time-dose dependent manner(r=0.946); and the apoptotic rate of cells significantly increased (P<0.05) in time-dose dependent manner(r= 0.924). The expression of BCL-2 protein at 48 h decreased significantly in icaritin-treated group, compared with that in control group (P<0.05), while the expression of BAX and Caspase3 protein at 48 h increased significantly in icaritin-treated group, compared with that in control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIcaritin can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of THP-1 in vitro, Icaritin may induce apoptosis in THP-1 cells through the mitochondrial pathway.