Objective: To evaluate the effects of matrine on cell proliferation and telomerase activity in retinoblastoma cells in vitro.
Methods: HXO-Rb44 cells were treated with 0.1 to 3.2 mmol/L matrine for 24 h, then cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis rates were evaluated by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay after the cells were treated for various durations. The telomerase activity were measured by telomeric repeat amplification protocol.
Results: MA inhibited the growth of HXO-Rb44 cells. Ma induced the apoptosis and down-regulated the telomerase activity of HXO-Rb44 cells, which were time dependent. There was a positive correlation between the telomerase activity and the apoptosis (r = -0.961, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: Ma can induce the apoptosis and down-regulate the telomerase activity of retinoblastoma cells, which may be one of important mechanisms to inhibit the cell proliferation. It suggests that Ma may be a potent drug for the treatment of retinoblastoma.