The effect of nitidine chloride on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of nitidine chloride (NC) on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE1, CNE2, TWO3, and C666-1, and to explore its antitumor mechanism. Methods: NC was dissolved in IMDM medium and cultured with nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE1, CNE2, TWO3 and C666-1. Cell morphology, cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, p53 mRNA and p53 protein levels were assessed. Results: After incubation with NC for 24 h, typical apoptotic morphology was observed. NC inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of all 4 cell lines in a time-dose dependent manner. p53 mRNA and p53 protein levels were significantly increased. Conclusions: NC inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells with upregulation of p53 gene.