Objective: To study the possible mechanism of the alcohol extract from gecko (GAE) on inducing prostate cancer cell line PC-3 apoptosis and provide theoretical foundation for the therapy of hormone independent prostate cancer. Method: The drug was extracted from gecko by alcohol. MTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition effects of GAE on PC-3 cells of AIPC. With prostate cancer (PC)-3 cells as the research object

MTT method was used to detect the inhibition effect of 3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5 g · L-1 GAE after 24

48 and 72 h on hormone dependence after prostate cancer (PC)-3 cell proliferation;after 48h treatment by 3.5

4.0

5.0 g · L-1 GAE

a blank group was established. Apoptosis-inducing effect was detected by Hoechest 33342 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI double stained flow cytometry. The protein expression of Caspase-3 and Fas in PC-3 cells was measured by SP immunohistochemistry assay. Result: The proliferation of PC-3 cells treated with GAE (3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5 g · L-1) for 24

48

72 h

respectively

was significantly inhibited in dose-and time-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group

after 48 h treatment by 3.5

4.0

5.0 g · L-1 GAE

typical apoptotic morphological changes were found in part of PC-3 cells by Hoechest 33342 staining. Annexin V-FITC/PI double stained flow cytometry showed that the early apoptotic cells account for 6.51%

12.48% and 22.81% respectively after 48 h treatment by 3.5

4.0

5.0 g · L-1 GAE. Immunohistochemistry assay showed that the protein expression of Caspase-3 and Fas was increased in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Conclusion: GAE can induce prostate cancer cell line PC-3 apoptosis and the mechanism of action may be associated with the signal pathway mediated by death receptor.