Objective: To study the effects of 17-hydroxy-jolkinolide B (HJB) on proliferation and apoptosis of U251 cells. Method: After the cells were treated with HJB at various concentrations (0

6.25

12.5

25

50

100

200

400

800 μmol ·L-1)for 24 h

or at half maximal inhibitory concentration of a substance (IC50) for various durations(12

24

48

72 h)

cell viability was measured by 3-(4

5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2

5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT). Annexin V-FITC by cytometry was used to test the apoptosis rate. Absorption spectrometry was adopt to measure the relative activity of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9. Result: The HJB evidently inhibited the growth of U251 cells in a time and dose-dependent manner(P<0.05)

with IC50value for 24 h being 62.236 11 μmol · L-1

and it could induce apoptosis of U251 cells. After HJB treatment at 30

60 and 120 μmol · L-1for 24 h

the apoptosis rate of U251 cells was 3.10%

3.51% and 5.98%

respectively(P<0.05)

and the relative activity of Caspase-3 or Caspase-9 was advanced with dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: The HJB evidently inhibits the growth of U251 and induces the apoptosis of U251.The mechanism may be mediated by mitochondrion pathways.