Realgar, a traditional Chinese medicine, induces apoptosis of HPV16-positive cervical cells through a HPV16 E7-related pathway

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the effect of Realgar on the apoptosis of HPV16-positive cervical cells in vitro. METHODS: The effect of Realgar on the apoptosis of HPV16-positive cervical cells was investigated by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining and growth inhibition assays using HPV16-positive cervical cancer cell line SiHa and HPV16-positive immortalized cervical epithelial cell line S12. The expression of genes was measured by real-time PCR, and the expression of corresponding proteins was detected by Western blotting. The adhesion and invasion of cells were detected by adhesion assay and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. RESULTS: The Realgar inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of SiHa and S12 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The Realgar suppressed the expression of HPV16 E7 and caspase-3. The Realgar suppressed the adhesion and invasion of both cells. CONCLUSION: The Realgar induced apoptosis, inhibited the proliferation of HPV16-positive cell lines through a HPV16 E7-dependent pathway, and inhibited cell adhesion and invasion.