The role of autophagy in the curcumin induced proliferation in human laryngeal cancer Hep2 cell

Abstract

Objective:The aim of this study is to study the effect of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on the autophagy and apoptosis of human laryngeal cancer Hep 2 cells induced by curcumin. Method:The proliferation of human laryngeal cancer Hep2 cells was observed by MTT assay. The autophagy level was detected by AO acridine orange staining. Annexin VFITC/PI double staining was used to detect the apoptosis of Hep2 cells. The expression of LC3, Beclin1, Bcl-2 and Bax protein were detected by Western blot. Result:MTT assay showed that curcumin inhibited the proliferation of Hep2 cells in a dose/time dependent manner. The apoptosis rate of curcumin combined with 3-MA increased (P<0.05). Acridine orange staining showed that 3-MA combined with curcumin could significantly reduce the autophagy level of laryngeal carcinoma Hep2 cells. The expression of Bcl-2, Bclin-1 and LC3 Ⅱ was decreased, while the expression of Bax protein was increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Curcumin can induce apoptosis of Hep 2 cells and induce the development of protective autophagy. The inhibitory effect of curcumin on the apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma Hep2 cell line was significantly enhanced by 3-MA.