Meisoindigo inhibits cellular proliferation via down-regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and induces cellular apoptosis in glioblastoma U87 cells.

Abstract

The current study wasto explore whether meisoindigo was effective in suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis of human glioblastoma multiforme U87 cells and to explore its possible mechanisms. Morphological changes were observed by light microscopy. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to detect cellular proliferation. Apoptosis was monitored by flow cytometry. Akt, phospho-Akt, PI3K, p65, phospho-p65 and apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3 and caspase-9 were examined by Western blotting assays. Immunofluorescence was used to evaluate level of P65 expression in cells. Meisoindigo inhibited the proliferation of U87 cells, and the inhibitory effect increased in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, meisoindigo exposure triggered an increase in the level of caspase-3 and caspase-9, supporting its role in the activation of apoptosis. Furthermore, meisoindigo reduced the expression of PI3K, Akt, phospho-Akt, NF-κB, p65 and phospho-p65 in U87 cells, and displacement of p65 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Meisoindigo inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of U87 cells, probably through down-regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway and reducing nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65.