Objective  

To investigate apoptosis in human osteosarcoma MG63 cells induced by resveratrol and the molecular mechanism involved.

Methods  

MG63 cells were treated with different concentrations of resveratrol and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe morphological changes occurring in apoptosis. The MTT method was used to determine the inhibitory rate and flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis and to analyze the expression of the p21^cip1/WAF1 and survivin proteins; the expression of p21^cip1/WAF1 and survivin mRNAs was analyzed by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results  

After resveratrol treatment, the growth of the MG63 cells was significantly inhibited in a time-and dose-dependent fashion. By transmission electron microscopy, the cells displayed morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis, including formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles, chromatin condensation and margination. Flow cytometry showed that the growth of the cells was inhibited a er resveratrol (10 mg/L and 20 mg/L) treatment. The inhibitory rates were (11.9 ± 0.63)% and (19.7 ± 0.88)% respectively. The quantity of treated cells in G₀/G₁ transition was increased, but the number in the S phase and G₂/M transition was decreased. A subdiploid peak was observed. The expression of p21^cip1/WAF1 was up-regulated while survivin was down-regulated.

Conclusion  

Resveratrol can inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of MG63 cells. Its molecular mechanism might be related to modulation of survivin and p21^cip1/WAF1 expression.