Effects of Apigenin on Cell Proliferation of Human Pancreatic Carcinoma Cell Line BxPC-3 in vitro

Objective: To observe the effects of apigenin on cell proliferation of human pancreatic carcinoma cell line BxPC-3 in vitro. Methods: The inhibitive effects of apigenin at different concentrations (0µmol/L, 100µmol/L, 200µmol/L, and 440µmol/L) on human pancreatic carcinoma cell line BxPC-3 were detected by MTT assays, transmission electron microscope, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. The immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax gene. Results: Apigenin at different concentrations could inhibit the proliferation of human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines BxPC-3, and the inhibitive effect was dose-dependent. The cell cycle of pancreatic carcinoma cells was arrested at G2/M phase. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the density of apigenin increased, and the expression of Bcl-2 gene was reduced gradually. At the same time the expression of Bax gene was enhanced. Conclusion: Apigenin could inhibit the proliferation of human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines BxPC-3 in vitro. The effect of apoptosis was accompanied with the expression of Bcl-2 decrease and Bax increase.