The effect of aspirin on caspase-8 and -9 activity level in cervical cancer cells in vitro

Abstract

Caspases are key mediators of apoptosis. Caspase-8 mediates extrinsic, and caspase-9 initiates the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. The literature shows that there is a relation between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and apoptosis in cancer cells. Accordingly, the current research investigated the effects of aspirin on caspase-8 and -9 activity level in cervical cancer (Hela) cells. In this in vitro study, Hela cells were divided to control untreated group and the groups treated with 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 1.0, 1 and 10 mg/ml of aspirin. MTT method was used to determine the cell viability. The caspase colorimetric assay method was used to detect the caspase activity level. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Student's t-test. The results showed that the cytotoxic concentration of aspirin significantly increased the activity level of caspase-9 (p<0.001), however, did not significantly change the caspase-8 activity level. It can be concluded that aspirin is able to initiate the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in cervical cancer cells.