Berberine Induces Apoptosis Through Mitochondrial-mediated Pathway In Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line HN-4 Cell Line

Objective: To investigate the effect of berberine on the cell viability and apoptosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line HN-4 cell line,and explore the possible molecular mechanisms.Methods: The cultured HN-4 cells were treated with different concentrations of berberine for 24 or 48 h;then detected by MTS method to measure its viability.The apoptotic rate was quantified by using Annexin V-FITC apoptoticdetection kit.The mitochondrial membrane potential changes were detected with Rhodamine 123 dye by flow cytometric assay.The expression of Bax,Bcl-2,Cytochrome c,cleavedCaspase 3,and cleaved-Caspase 9 was detected by Western Blot.Results: Berberine significantly inhibited the viabilityof HN-4 cells in a dosedependent manner.Berberine significantly increased the apoptotic rate and induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential on HN-4 cells.Berberine significantly upregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins including Bax,Cytochrome c,cleaved-Caspase 3 and cleaved-Caspase 9,as well as upregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein.Conclusions: Berberine could inhibit the viability and induced apoptosis of HN-4 cells through activating mitochondrial-mediated pathway.