Nano-realgar Inhibits the Proliferation of Bladder Cancer Cell and Induces the Expression of Apoptosis-related Proteins

Background The main component of realgar is arsenic disulfide (As2S2). Modern medical research shows that realgar can inhibit tumorigenesis and development of tumor by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, the lack of the traditional realgar preparations present with lower bioavailability, which further affects the therapeutic effect. With the improvement of new drug preparation processes, nano-androgen is increasingly used for anti-tumor drugs. Objective In order to investigate the effect of nano-realgar on proliferation of bladder cancer cell line RT4, we performed the research. Methods Nano-realgar was prepared by mechanical milling method. RT4 cell was used as target cell. MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of RT4 cell treated with nano-realgar. And western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Caspase-3) in the RT4 cell treated with nano-realgar. Results Nano-realgar could significantly inhibit the proliferation of RT4 cell. After treated with 10 ug/ml, 20 ug/ml and 40 ug/ml nano-realgar for 24 h and 48 h, the proliferation inhibition rate of RT4 cell increased significantly compared with the negative control group (P<0.05), and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, Bad and Caspase-3, increased significantly after treated with 20 ug/ml and 40 ug/ml nano-realgar for 48 h (P<0.05). Conclusion Nano-realgar can inhibit the proliferation of RT4 cell, and induces the expression of Bax and Caspase-3.