Radiosensitizing Effect of Artesunate on Human Colon Adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE To study the radiosensitizing effect of artesunate on human colon adenocarcinoma cells SW480. METHODS IC₅₀ of artesunate was measured by MTT. SW480 cells were divided into 4 groups: control group, drug group(artesunate of 20% IC₅₀), radio group(radiation of 6 MV X ray), and combined group(received artesunate of 20% IC₅₀ and radiation of 6 MV X ray). MTT was used to measure inhibitory rate of cell proliferation. Then the formation of cell colony was detected. Colony forming rate (PE) and survival fraction (SF) were calculated. Based on multiple targeting simple hit formula, mean lethal dose, extrapolation value, cell survival fraction and radiosensitization ratio of 2 Gy were calculated. The apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS Compared with control group, there were significant differences in inhibitory rate of cell proliferation and apoptosis rate of three groups(P<0.05). Compared with other three groups, there was significant difference in inhibitory rate of cell proliferation and apoptosis rate of combined group(P<0.05). Radiosensitization ratio was 1.38. CONCLUSION Artesunate has radiosensitizing effect on human colon adenocarcinoma cells of SW480, and the mechanism might be related to promoting apoptosis.