Bergapten Induces Apoptosis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

Objective To investigate the effect of bergapten on the apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells in vitro and the possible mechanism. Methods Inhibition effect of bergapten on NPC cells CNE-2 and HONE-1 were tested by CCK-8. Apoptosis rate and mitochondria membrane potential were assayed by Annexin V-FITC/PI and JC-1 staining. Caspase-3 activity was detected by color metric assay. mRNA and protein expression of BAX and BCL2 were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). STAT protein expression and p-STAT3 (Y705) phosphorylation were detected by Western blot. Results The apoptosis rate and Caspase-3 activity were increased significantly in CNE-2 and HONE-1 cells induced by bergapten, especially at 10 and 100 μM（P< 0.05）, while mitochondria membrane potential was decreased obviously（P< 0.05）; BCL2 mRNA and protein levels were decreased while those of BAX were increased. Moreover, p-STAT3 (Y705) phosphorylation was decreased and STAT3 protein expression was stable. Conclusion Bergapten could destroy mitochondria function and induce the apoptosis of NPC cells, and those effects might be related to suppressing STAT3 signal pathways, down-regulating BCL2 expression and up-regulating BAX expression.