[Experimental study on anti-pancreatic cancer effect of oridonin].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the apoptotic effect of oridonin in human pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1, and to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: MTT assay was used to measure the cell viability. Apoptosis was determined by confocal laser scanning microscope after Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry analysis after PI staining. The regulation of JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathway proteins was examined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Treatment with oridonin for 24 h resulted in a marked decrease in cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 value was determined as 49.80 µmol/L for 24 h. After treatment with 50 micromol/L and 80 µmol/L oridonin for 24 h, typical apoptotic nucleus alterations were observed with confocal laser scanning microscope and apoptotic rates of PANC-1 cells increased by flow cytometry analysis. Treatment with 80 µmol/L oridonin down-regulated protein expression of JNK, p38 and increased the expression of p-JNK, p-p38. Furthermore, 80 µmol/L oridonin treatment decreased the expression of down-stream proteins Caspase-9, Caspase-3 and PARP in the apoptotic pathway as well as activated the cleavage of Caspase-9. CONCLUSION: Oridonin can induce apoptosis of PANC-1 cells through JNK and p38 MAPK pathway proteins.