The inhibitory effect of matrine on the growth of human colorectal cancer HT29 cells: an experimental observation

Objective: To study the inhibitory and inductive effect of matrine (MA) on human colorectal cancer HT29 cells.

Methods: MTT assay was used to determine the cell growth inhibitory rate in vitro . Changes of cell cycle and the apoptosis of HT29 cells before and after MA treatment were observed using flow cytometry and electron microscope.

Results: MTT showed that 2-32 mg/mL MA inhibited the proliferation of HT29 cells (P < 0.05) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cells treated by 4, 8, and 16 mg/mL MA at G0/G1 phase were obviously higher than those in the negative control group (P < 0.05), indicating that the cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase. Morphological apoptosis of HT29 cells could be seen under transmission electron microscope.

Conclusions: MA inhibited the proliferation of HT29 cells, and its mechanism might be associated with stagnation at G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis of HT29 cells.