Objective:To investigate the cellular effects of Pien Tze Huang(片仔癀,PZH) in the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell line.Methods:The viability of HT-29 cells was determined by MTT assay.A fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS) analysis with annexin-V/propidium iodide(PI) and JC-1 staining were performed to determine cell apoptosis and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential,respectively.Activation of caspase 3 was evaluated by a colorimetric assay.The mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results:PZH,in a dose- and time-dependent manner,reduced viability and induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells.Moreover,PZH treatment resulted in the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential,activation of caspase 3,and an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.Conclusion:PZH inhibits the growth of HT-29 cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis via regulation of the Bcl-2 family and activation of caspase 3,which may,in part,explain its anticancer activity.
