Increase in apoptosis by combination of metformin with silibinin in human colorectal cancer cells

摘要

AIM: To investigate the effect of metformin on silibinin-induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer(COLO 205) cells.METHODS: MTT assays were performed to quantify cell viability.Western blot assays were applied to identify the expression of signaling proteins.RESULTS: The combined treatment of COLO 205 cells with metformin and silibinin decreased cell survival at a dose insufficient to influence the non-malignant cells [Human colonic epithelial cells(HCo Epi C)].Silibinin and metformin increased phosphatase and tensin homolog and 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase expression in COLO 205 cells and inhibited the phosphorylation of mammol/Lalian target of rapamycin.This combined treatment resulted in an increase in the expression of activated caspase 3 and apoptosis inducing factor, indicating apoptosis.CONCLUSION: The combined treatment of human colorectal cancer cells with silibinin and metformin may induce apoptosis at a dose that does not affect HCo Epi C.This finding reveals a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer.