[Effects of hypericin associated with radiotherapy on human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma strain Hep-2]

Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi. 2005 Dec;19(24):1127-30.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To study effects of hypericin associated with radiotherapy on human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma strain Hep-2.

Method: Using techniques of tumor cells culture in vitro, Hep-2 cells were exposed to different concentration hypericin as 0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 microg/ml, then 5 Gy radiation were given after an hour. Other groups Hep-2 culture cells were also exposed to different concentration hypericin as 5, 10, 20, 25 microg/ml, and no radiation were given. In all groups, contrast group was set up. And 48 hours later, growth characteristics of Hep-2 were studied by morphological observation, MTT assay and flow cytometry.

Result: In normal contrast group, Hep-2 cells grew intensively and contacted with each other. And cellular swelling was found when Hep-2 cells were only treated with radiotherapy. When Hep-2 cells were treated with both Hypericin and radiotherapy, more cells swelled and cell number declined greatly. In higher dose Hypericin group, necrosis could be found. MTT assay showed the Hep-2 cells growth was significantly inhibited when treated with both hypericin and radiotherapy. Flow cytometry showed hypericin could block cell growth at G0/G1 phase and induced laryngeal cells into apoptosis whether with radiotherapy or not. But Hep-2 cells only treated with hypericin could not get same powerful effect as combination with radiotherapy.

Conclusion: Human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma strain Hep-2 can be inhibited and induced into apoptosis by treated with hypericin combination with radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anthracenes
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / radiation effects*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Perylene / analogs & derivatives*
  • Perylene / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anthracenes
  • Perylene
  • hypericin