水飞蓟宾诱导肺腺癌Anip973细胞凋亡的分子机制研究

目的：探讨水飞蓟宾诱导肺腺癌Anip973细胞系细胞凋亡的分子机制。方法：采用MTT法、倒置显微镜和电子显微镜等形态学检测以及流式细胞仪（FCM）技术检测、DNALadder分析、凋亡分子PARP的表达检测细胞凋亡,同时进行凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3和caspase-9表达活性分析。结果：（1）水飞蓟宾对人肺腺癌Anip973细胞系细胞的增殖有显著抑制作用;（2）水飞蓟宾作用Anip973细胞48h后,随着浓度的增加,倒置显微镜下可见细胞数目减少,胞体变小、变圆,到高浓度时出现较多的死亡细胞;（3）扫描电镜观察发现,随着水飞蓟宾作用浓度的增加,Anip973细胞中出现增多的凋亡细胞,凋亡细胞表现出典型的超微结构特征;（4）流式细胞仪检测的结果发现,随着药物作用时间的延长,Anip973细胞的G1期细胞比例增多,S期细胞明显减少,G2期细胞略有减少,并出现明显的凋亡峰。（5）水飞蓟宾作用后的Anip973细胞出现明显的DNALadder和PARP降解增加等凋亡特征;（6）水飞蓟宾作用后,Anip973细胞中的凋亡相关蛋白Bax表达增加、caspase-3和caspase-9酶活性增加,而Bcl-2表达降低。结论：水飞蓟宾在体外有抑制人肺腺癌细胞Anip973的增殖作用,并通过激活线粒体依赖的caspase凋亡通路,诱导其凋亡。     

PARP15在肺腺癌中的表达及其对肺腺癌细胞生长、凋亡的影响

该文研究了PARP15过表达在肺腺癌中的临床意义及其对肺腺癌细胞生长、凋亡的影响。利用UALCAN和GEPIA数据库比对PARP15基因在肺腺癌组织和正常组织中的表达水平,利用GEPIA数据库分析PARP15基因对肺腺癌患者预后生存的影响。构建核心质粒pCDH-PARP15,通过慢病毒包装及感染的方法在人肺腺癌细胞系A549和H1299中获得PARP15过表达稳定株,用Western blot鉴定PARP15过表达情况。采用CCK-8、克隆形成实验检测过表达PARP15对A549和H1299细胞生长的影响,流式细胞仪检测PARP15对A549和H1299细胞凋亡和细胞周期的影响。PARP15基因在肺腺癌组织中的表达水平均低于正常组织(P<0.05),且PARP15基因的表达水平与肺腺癌患者的良好预后呈正相关(P=0.003 6)。过表达PARP15抑制肺腺癌细胞的生长(P<0.05),并诱导细胞凋亡(P<0.05),但对细胞周期没有显著影响。PARP15可通过诱导肺腺癌细胞凋亡从而发挥抑制其生长的作用。     

野生型P53、P16基因协同对肺腺癌细胞系生长抑制作用的研究

为了探讨野生型P53基因及P16基因在恶性肿瘤基因治疗中的作用,用腺病毒为载体将野生型P53基因转入高、低转移的肺腺癌细胞系Anip973、AGZY83-a和经野生型P16基因质粒转染的高、低转移肺腺癌细胞系Anip973（Anip973P16）、AGZY83-a（AGZY83-aP16）。对各组转染细胞进行生长曲线、MTT生长抑制率、原位末端标记、Western-blotting等技术检测分析。结果发现（1）野生型P53蛋白的过表达对上述肺腺癌细胞系均呈现出较强的生长抑制作用。（2）野生型P53蛋白的过表达对高转移肺癌细胞系Anip973的抑制作用明显高于低转移细胞系AGZY83-a。（3）野生型p53蛋白的过表达对经野生型P16基因转染的高、低转移的肺癌细胞Anip973、AGZY83-a抑制作用明显高于未经P16基因转染的细胞。野生型P53基因可以作为肺腺癌基因治疗的候选基因。肿瘤抑制基因P53、P16的联合转染可能是对肺腺癌进行基因治疗的有效手段。 Abstract：To investigate the suppression effect of tumor suppressor genes in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines,we transferred a pair of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines with different metastasis potential,Anip973(High-metastasis potential cell line) and AGZY83-a (Low-metastasis potential cell line)and this pair of cell lines transfected with P16 gene:AGZY83-a P16 and Anip973 P16 with wild type P53 gene with adenovirus vector.The suppression effects of P53 gene were evaluated by cell growth curve,MTT,western-blotting analysis and TUNEL technique.Overexpression of wild-type P53 gene in AGZY83-a,Anip973,Anip973 P16 and AGZY83-a P16 inhibited the growth of these four kinds of lung cancer cells and induced apoptosis of the cells.The suppression effect of P53 gene in Anip973 and Anip973 P16 was higher than AGZY83-a and AGZY83-a P16 while co-expression of P53 and　P16 in this pair of cell lines inhibited the cells more efficiently comparing with the expression of P53 alone.Wild-type P53 gene might act as a candidate gene in lung adenocarcinoma gene therapy while co-transfection of P53 and P16 genes was a more effective method.     

金葡菌通过线粒体途径诱导U937细胞凋亡

目的探讨线粒体凋亡途径在金黄色葡萄球菌（简称金葡菌）诱导人巨噬细胞系U937细胞凋亡中的作用。方法当细胞：细菌为1∶20时分别培养0 min,15 min,30 min,60 min和90 min,采用Western blot法检测胞质细胞色素C的表达及细胞内Bcl-2、Bax、caspase-9和caspase-3的表达。结果随着金葡菌感染时间的延长,胞质细胞色素C和Bax的表达逐渐增加;Bcl-2蛋白的表达逐渐降低;caspase-9和caspase-3的表达逐渐增加。结论金葡菌可通过抑制Bcl-2表达和促进Bax表达引起线粒体细胞色素C释放入胞质,激活caspase-9和caspase-3,促进U937细胞凋亡。     

细胞色素c的释放是多巴胺诱导PC12细胞凋亡的重要环节

通过末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导dUTP缺口翻译法和DNA凝胶电泳观察多巴胺(DA)对PC12细胞凋亡的诱导作用, 并经蛋白质印迹法检测胞浆细胞色素c、Bcl-2和Bax蛋白以及活化型半胱氨酸蛋白酶3(caspase-3)水平. 结果表明, 在DA诱导PC12细胞凋亡的过程中, 可见PC12细胞中活化型caspase-3蛋白表达, 胞浆中细胞色素c水平明显增高, 同时Bcl-2蛋白水平下降, 而Bax蛋白水平明显增加. 环孢菌素A预处理对细胞色素c释放和caspase-3激活有明显的抑制作用, 而对Bcl-2和Bax蛋白影响不明显. 结果提示, Bcl-2和Bax蛋白、细胞色素c以及caspase-3可能参与DA诱导PC12细胞凋亡, 线粒体细胞色素c向胞浆释放可能是其中的中心环节.     

水飞蓟宾诱导卵巢癌HO-8910细胞凋亡增殖及其机制探讨

目的:探讨水飞蓟宾对人卵巢癌HO-8910细胞增殖的抑制作用及其作用机制。方法:HO-8910细胞分为四组:(1)对照组;(2)水飞蓟宾低浓度组;(3)水飞蓟宾中浓度组;(4)水飞蓟宾高浓度组。通过MTT法测定细胞增值率,流式细胞技术检测细胞凋亡情况,Hoechst染色观查细胞核凋亡,Western-blot检测bax及bcl-2表达。结果:细胞增殖检测结果显示,水飞蓟宾低、中、高浓度组的抑制率(83.00±5.51%、65.33±3.48%、56.67±4.37%)与对照组(97.33±4.25%)比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。流式细胞技术结果显示,水飞蓟宾低、中、高浓度组凋亡细胞比例分别为16.93±2.34%、26.20±2.21%和37.93±1.98%,与对照组(1.43±0.72%)相比差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。Hoechst染色结果显示,水飞蓟宾低、中、高浓度组凋亡细胞比例分别为12.56±2.55%、25.73±2.05%和39.14±3.69%,与对照组(0.54±0.67%)相比差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。此外,水飞蓟宾可以升高bax基因表达水平,降低bcl-2基因表达平。结论:水飞蓟宾能明显抑制HO-8910细胞增殖,促进细胞凋亡,通过改变凋亡因子表达诱导卵巢癌HO-8910细胞凋亡。     

澳洲茄碱诱导胆管癌QBC939细胞凋亡及作用机制

研究澳洲茄碱对人胆管癌上皮细胞系QBC939凋亡的诱导与作用机制。采用MTT法检测不同浓度澳洲茄碱对QBC939细胞的增殖抑制作用;流式细胞术检测澳洲茄碱对QBC939细胞的凋亡诱导情况;Western blot检测澳洲茄碱对QBC939细胞中凋亡相关蛋白(Bax、Bcl-2、caspase3、caspase7、PARP、cleaved PARP)的表达影响。结果发现澳洲茄碱以浓度依赖方式能够抑制QBC939细胞的增殖;澳洲茄碱能够显著诱导QBC939细胞的凋亡;澳洲茄碱可以上调Bax、caspase3、caspase7和cleaved PARP蛋白表达,下调Bcl-2和PARP蛋白表达。表明澳洲茄碱能够通过改变凋亡相关蛋白表达,诱导胆管癌QBC939细胞的凋亡,这对于研发和治疗胆管癌相关药物具有一定的潜在价值。     

香蜂草苷诱导人肝癌细胞株HepG2凋亡及其作用机制

为了研究香蜂草苷对肝癌细胞株HepG2凋亡的影响,并探讨其作用机制,利用MTT法检测香蜂草苷对HepG2细胞增殖的抑制作用,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,试剂盒检测caspase-3和caspase-9活性,Western blot检测Bcl-2、Bax、RKIP、ERK、p-ERK蛋白表达。实验结果表明香蜂草苷可抑制HepG2细胞增殖并诱导其凋亡,其机制可能与提高caspase-3和caspase-9活性,上调Bax和下调Bcl-2表达有关。此外,我们的研究显示香蜂草苷诱导HepG2细胞凋亡可能还与其增加RKIP表达,抑制ERK/MAPK信号通路有关。     

西达本胺对人前列腺癌DU145及PC3细胞凋亡的影响

目的:研究西达本胺对前列腺癌DU145、PC3细胞生长抑制及凋亡调控的作用。方法:设置西达本胺浓度分别为4、8、16、32和64μmol/L的5个处理组和对照组(未加西达本胺),分别处理DU145、PC3细胞不同时间,采用MTT法检测细胞的增殖抑制情况,用倒置显微镜观察细胞形态,用流式细胞仪进行细胞凋亡分析,用免疫印迹法检测细胞内Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3、caspase-9的表达水平。结果:与对照组比较,西达本胺处理组可使细胞明显变圆、体积缩小、脱壁细胞增多;MTT法检测显示,随着西达本胺浓度的增加和作用时间的延长,对DU145、PC3细胞的增殖抑制作用增强,并呈时间、剂量正相关(P<0.01);流式细胞术显示,对照组和16、64μmol/L西达本胺组细胞凋亡率分别为42.24%、50.23%;随着西达本胺浓度的增加,Bcl-2的表达呈下调趋势,Bax、caspase-3、caspase-9的表达呈上调趋势,呈剂量正相关。结论:西达本胺对前列腺癌DU145、PC3细胞生长具有明显的抑制作用,作用机制可能与Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3及caspase-9凋亡信号通路有关。     

拉帕替尼通过激活p38MAPK信号通路促进NB4细胞凋亡

该文探讨了拉帕替尼对急性早幼粒细胞白血病NB4细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及相关分子机制。用p38MAPK抑制剂和不同浓度的拉帕替尼处理NB4细胞24 h,CCK-8(cell counting kit-8)实验检测细胞增殖,FITC-Annexin V/PI双染色法检测细胞凋亡,光学显微镜和Hoechst 33258染色观察细胞形态,Western blot检测Bcl-2(B cell leukemia-2)、Bax(Bcl-2 associated X protein)、caspase-3、PARP(poly-ADP-ribose polymerase)、PML-RARα(promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor alpha)、p38MAPK(p38 mitongen-activated protein kinase)和p-p38MAPK(phosphorylated p38 mitongen-activated protein kinase)等蛋白质水平。结果显示,随着拉帕替尼药物浓度的增加,细胞增殖率显著降低,细胞凋亡数量明显增加,Hoechst 33258染色可见染色质浓缩、碎裂等凋亡现象。同时,拉帕替尼能降低Bcl-2和PML-RARα蛋白质水平,增加Bax、cleaved caspase-3、cleaved PARP和p-p38MAPK等蛋白质水平。用p38MAPK抑制剂预处理后,细胞增殖率升高,凋亡率降低,p-p38MAPK、Bax、cleaved caspase-3和cleaved PARP等蛋白质水平降低。该文结果提示,拉帕替尼能够抑制NB4细胞增殖并促进细胞凋亡,并且p38MAPK信号通路可能参与这些过程。     

Upregulation of BNIP3 promotes apoptosis of lung cancer cells that were induced by p53

It has been shown that p53 induces cell apoptosis and the Bcl-2 family plays key roles in this process. However, the molecular mechanism of p53 apoptotic pathway is still unclear. Here, we show that overexpression of exogenous wild-type p53 induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells and high metastasis potential cells had a faster rate of apoptosis than low metastasis potential cells. The expression of pro-apoptotic gene BNIP3 was increased significantly both in Anip973 and 95D cell lines which have high metastasis ability, but not AGZY83-a or little increased in 95C cell lines which possess low metastasis ability. Overexpression of BNIP3 increases apoptotic rate induced by p53 in AGZY83-a cells. Blocking the expression of BNIP3 by siRNA in Anip973 cells decreased apoptotic rate mediated by p53. Taken together, these data suggest that high level expression of BNIP3 mediated rapid apoptosis that was triggered by p53 in lung cancer cells.     

Hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in pc12 cells and the protective effect of puerarin

In this study, the effect of puerarin on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells was studied. Exposure of cells to 0.5mM H(2)O(2)may cause significant viability loss and apoptotic rate increase. When c-Myc, Bcl-2 and Bax expression and caspase-3 activity were measured, using Ac-DEVD-AMC as a substrate, the changes in these apoptosis regulatory and effector proteins suggested that the elevation of c-Myc, decrease in Bcl-2:Bax protein ratio, and caspase-3 activation all play a key role in apoptosis. When cells were treated with puerarin prior to 0.5 mM H(2)O(2)treatment, a reduction in viability loss and apoptotic rate was seen. In addition, c-Myc expression decreased and Bcl-2:Bax ratio increased. Puerarin also reduced the H(2)O(2)-induced elevation of caspase-3 activation. These results suggest that puerarin can protect neurons against oxidative stress. It can block apoptosis in its early stages via the regulation of anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins, as well as by the attenuation of caspase-3 activation in H(2)O(2)-induced PC12 cells.     

Mechanism of UV-Induced Apoptosis in Human Leukemia Cells: Roles of Ca/Mg-Dependent Endonuclease, Caspase-3, and Stress-Activated Protein Kinases

Ultraviolet light (UV) induced rapid apoptosis of U937 leukemia cells, concurrent with DNA fragmentation and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) by activated caspase-3. Thein vitroreconstitution of intact HeLa S3 nuclei and apoptotic U937 cytosolic extract (CE) revealed that (i) Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-dependent, Zn²⁺-sensitive endonuclease activated in the apoptotic CE induced DNA ladder in HeLa nuclei at pH 6.8–7.4, (ii) activated caspase-3 cleaved PARP in HeLa nuclei, and (iii) when the apoptotic CE was treated with the caspase-3 inhibitor (1 μM Ac-DEVD-CHO) or the caspase-1 inhibitor (10 μM Ac-YVAD-CHO), the former, but not the latter, caused a 50% inhibition of DNA fragmentation and the complete inhibition of PARP cleavage in HeLa nuclei. Similarly, Ac-DEVD-CHO (100 μM) inhibited apoptosis and DNA ladder by 50% and PARP cleavage completely in UV-irradiated U937 cells, but Ac-YVAD-CHO (100 μM) did not. Thus, UV-induced apoptosis of U937 cells involves the Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-dependent endonuclease pathway and the caspase-3–PARP cleavage–Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-dependent endonuclease pathway. The former pathway produced directly 50% of apoptotic DNA ladder, and the latter involved activated caspase-3 and PARP cleavage, followed by formation of the remaining 50% DNA ladder by the activated endonuclease. In UV-irradiated B-cell lines, further, p53-dependent increase of Bax resulted in a greater caspase-3 activation compared to its absence. However, UV-induced activation of JNK1 and p38 was not affected by the caspase-1 and -3 inhibitors in U937 cells, so that caspases-1 and -3 do not function upstream of JNK1 and p38.     

妊娠兔胎盘细胞凋亡及凋亡相关基因Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化

以新西兰雌兔为动物模型。研究妊娠期间胎盘细胞凋亡及其凋亡调控蛋白Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化,基因组DNA凝胶电泳实验检测到妊娠中期和晚期胎盘基因组DNA中出现典型的凋亡特征-DNA梯带,而且DNA断裂值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为：0.14,0.49和1.43,与妊娠早期相比,妊娠中,晚期胎盘基因组DNA断裂值有显著性增加,TUNEL实验和活化caspase-3的免疫定位实验表明,在妊娠早期胎盘中存在细胞凋亡,而且在各妊娠期中细胞凋亡主要发生于合体滋养层,免疫印迹法分析表明,Bcl-2和Bax随妊娠的进行其表达量明显增加,Bax:Bcl-2比值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为：0.89,0.91和1.25,呈增加趋势,实验结果说明,在兔正常妊娠中,胎盘合体滋养层细胞发生凋亡,且随妊娠的进行,凋亡细胞数量增多,胎盘细胞凋亡主要与细胞中Bax:Bcl-2的比例相关。     

妊娠兔胎盘细胞凋亡及凋亡相关基因Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化

以新西兰雌兔为动物模型,研究妊娠期间胎盘细胞凋亡及其凋亡调控蛋白Bcl-2和Bax表达的动态变化.基因组DNA凝胶电泳实验检测到妊娠中期和晚期胎盘基因组DNA中出现典型的凋亡特征——DNA梯带,而且DNA断裂值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为：0.14、0.49和1.43,与妊娠早期相比,妊娠中、晚期胎盘基因组DNA断裂值有显著性增加.TUNEL实验和活化caspase-3的免疫定位实验表明,在妊娠早期胎盘中存在细胞凋亡,而且在各妊娠期中细胞凋亡主要发生于合体滋养层.免疫印迹法分析表明,Bcl-2和Bax随妊娠的进行其表达量明显增加,Bax∶Bcl-2比值在妊娠早、中、晚期分别为：0.89,0.91和1.25,呈增加趋势.实验结果说明,在兔正常妊娠中,胎盘合体滋养层细胞发生凋亡,且随妊娠的进行,凋亡细胞数量增多,胎盘细胞凋亡主要与细胞中Bax∶Bcl-2的比例相关.     

The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase in cadmium-induced primary rat cerebral cortical neurons apoptosis via a mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic metal capable of severely damaging several organs, including the brain. Studies have shown that Cd induces neuronal apoptosis partially by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. However, the underlying mechanism of MAPK involving the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in neurons remains unclear. In this study, primary rat cerebral cortical neurons were exposed to Cd, which significantly decreased cell viability and the B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl-2 associate X protein (Bcl-2/Bax) ratio and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells, release of cytochrome c, cleavages of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). In addition, Cd induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK. Inhibition of ERK and JNK, but not p38 MAPK, partially protected the cells from Cd-induced apoptosis. ERK and JNK inhibition also blocked alteration of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, release of cytochrome c, cleavages of caspase-3 and PARP, and nuclear translocation of AIF. Taken together, these data suggest that the ERK- and JNK-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathways play important roles in Cd-induced neuronal apoptosis.     

Kinetics of Apoptosis and Expression of Apoptosis-Related Proteins in Rat CA3 Hippocampus Cells After Experimental Diffuse Brain Injury

The present study examined kinetics of apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 in the CA3 hippocampus cells after diffuse brain injury (DBI) induced experimentally in rats. Percentage of apoptotic cells and expressions of above proteins were examined by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Substantial neuronal apoptosis was documented in the CA3 hippocampus cells after DBI (22.26 ± 2.97 % at 72 h after DBI vs. 2.92 ± 0.88 % in sham-operated animals). Expression of Bc1-2 decreased, while expression of Bax and caspase-3 increased after DBI, with caspase-3 expression peaking after that of Bax (72 vs. 48 h, respectively). Further, the Bc1-2/Bax expression ratio decreased prior to increase of caspase-3 expression. In conclusion, cell apoptosis and altered expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 are present in the CA3 region of hippocampus after experimental DBI. Changes in the Bc1-2/Bax expression ratio may facilitate activation of caspase-3 and aggravate neuronal apoptosis after brain injury.     

高压氧预处理对急性减压所致的大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡及Bcl-2/Bax表达的影响

目的:探讨高压氧预处理对减压病大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡的影响相关蛋白表达的影响。方法:雄性SD大鼠24只,随机分为3组,正常对照组(NC group)、HBO预处理组(HBOP group)、减压组(DCS group),每组8只。连续进行HBO预处理5天后进行减压病模型制备,取左侧肺组织进行湿干重比值测定,右侧肺组织用于病理实验;HE染色观察肺组织病理学改变,免疫组织化学法标记Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-3与MMP-9阳性细胞表达,并对bcl-2/bax值进行分析。结果:减压组肺组织Bax、Caspase-3与MMP-9阳性细胞数明显增加(P0.05),而Bcl-2阳性细胞表达减少(P0.05);高压氧预处理组与减压组相比,Bax、Caspase-3与MMP-9阳性细胞数明显减少(P0.05),而Bcl-2阳性细胞表达增加(P0.05);大鼠肺组织减压组与高压氧预处理组Bcl-2/Bax值较对照组明显降低(P0.05);与减压组相比,高压氧预处理组明显升高(P0.05)。结论:HBO预处理可以减轻减压对肺组织的病理损伤,减轻肺泡和支气管上皮细胞的变性坏死,抑制细胞凋亡,从而起到对减压病的保护作用。     

Swainsonine activates mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway in human lung cancer A549 cells and retards the growth of lung cancer xenografts

Swainsonine (1, 2, 8-trihyroxyindolizidine, SW), a natural alkaloid, has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer activity on several mouse models of human cancer and human cancers in vivo. However, the mechanisms of SW-mediated tumor regression are not clear. In this study, we investigated the effects of SW on several human lung cancer cell lines in vitro. The results showed that SW significantly inhibited these cells growth through induction of apoptosis in different extent in vitro. Further studies showed that SW treatment up-regulated Bax, down-regulated Bcl-2 expression, promoted Bax translocation to mitochondria, activated mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway, which in turn caused the release of cytochrome c, the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), resulting in A549 cell apoptosis. However, the expression of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL) or caspase-8 activity did not appear significant changes in the process of SW-induced apoptosis. Moreover, SW treatment inhibited Bcl-2 expression, promoted Bax translocation, cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activity in xenograft tumor cells, resulting in a significant decrease of tumor volume and tumor weight in the SW-treated xenograft mice groups in comparison to the control group. Taken together, this study demonstrated for the first time that SW inhibited A549 cancer cells growth through a mitochondria-mediated, caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway in vitro and in vivo.