The restraining effect of baicalein and U0126 on human cervical cancer cell line HeLa

To explore the restraining effect of baicalein and the mitogen-activation protein kinase kinase inhibitor, U0126, on human cervical cell line HeLa proliferation, apoptosis and migration. HeLa cells were treated by different concentrations of baicalein or U0126. A Cell Counting Kit (CCK)‑8 assay was applied to examine cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to determine cell cycle and apoptosis. A wound healing assay was performed to detect cell migration. A terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay was adopted to test cell apoptosis. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis was used to detect apoptosis gene and protein expression. CCK‑8 assay demonstrated that baicalein and U0126 suppressed HeLa cell viability by dose dependence. TUNEL, Annexin V‑fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide, and ratio of Bcl‑2‑associated X protein and B cell lymphoma 2 indicated that baicalein and U0126 induced HeLa cell apoptosis. Flow cytometry revealed that baicalein blocked the cell cycle of HeLa in G0/G1 phase. A wound healing assay demonstrated that baicalein significantly inhibited HeLa cell migration compared with control. Baicalein and U0126 markedly downregulated extracellular signal‑regulated kinase 1/2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP9 levels both in mRNA and protein. In the present study, the authors demonstrated that baicalein and U0126 may be used in cervical cancer treatment by inhibiting cell migration and inducing cell apoptosis.