Effects of Shikoni on the proliferation of colorectal carcinoma SW480 cells

Objective This research was to compare the effects of Shikoni,5-fluorouracil(5-FU)and cisplatin(DDP)on the proliferation and expression of a proliferation-inducing ligand(APRIL)in colorectal carcinoma SW480 cells.Methods MTT colorimetric assay was used to examine the growth inhibition of Shikoni in colorectal carcinoma SW480 cells.The protein and mRNA level of APRIL in colorectal carcinoma SW480 cells were determined by immunohistochemistry and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RFQ-PCR).SW480 cells were treated with Shikoni,5-FU and DDP at various concentrations for 24 h,48 h and 72 h.The changes of APRIL mRNA level were analyzed by RFQ-PCR.Results Shikonin significantly inhibited the growth of SW480 cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.The expression of APRIL was strong expressed in SW480 cells.When treated with difierent concentrations of Shikoni and 5-FU.the mRNA level of APRIL in SW480 cells raised gradually and reached the highest levels at 72 h after treatment.which were significantly higher than that in blank contrel group(P<0.05).When treated with different concentrations of DDP,the mRNA levels of APRIL in SW480 cells did not increase,compared with control group.Conclusions Shikonin can inhibit the growth of colorectal carcinoma SW480-cells and might be an assistant treatment of chemotheraphy.Additionally,anti-APRIL therapy might be another important assistant treatment to counter the impact of APRIL that would cause a rise of proliferation ability of survival cells when colorectal carcinoma was treated with Shikoni and 5-FU. Key words: Shikonin/PD; Intestinal neoplasms/ME/PP; Cell proliferation; Tumor necrosis factors/BI