Objective: To observe the combinational effects of resveratrol and curcumin on cell proliferation

apoptosis and the possible mechanisms in human hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. Method: SMMC-7721 cells were treated with resveratrol or curcumin or both. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry

apoptotic morphology was visualized by hoechst 33258 staining. Caspase-3

caspase-8 and caspase-9 activities were detected by colorimetric assay

and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP) was detected by Western blot. Result: Compared with the control

resveratrol and curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells. The combination of resveratrol and curcumin was found to be more effective in inhibiting growth (P<0.01)

and inducing apoptosis in SMMC-7721 as indicated by apoptotic morphological change and PI/Annexin V-FITC staining. The apoptosis rate of resveratrol

curcumin and combination group was (17.39±1.41)%

(14.96±2.23)%

and (25.36±2.68)% respectively. In addition

caspase-3

caspase-8 and caspase-9 were significantly activated by combinational treatment of resveratrol and curcumin

accompanied by increased PARP cleavage

and compared with either agent alone. Conclusion: Combination of resveratrol and curcumin may elicit synergistic anti-cancer effects in human hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells

and associated with caspase-8

-9/caspase-3/PARP mediated apoptosis.