The Ethanol Crude Extraction of Cyperus Rotundus Regulates Apoptosis-associated Gene Expression in HeLa Human Cervical Carcinoma Cells In Vitro

Background/Aim: Cervical cancer is considered poorly chemo-sensitive in women and its treatment remains unsatisfactory. Cyperus rotundus is used in Chinese medicine as a therapeutic agent for women's disease. The effects and molecular mechanisms of the ethanol extraction of C. rotundus (CRE) on cervical cancer remain unclear. We aimed to explore the mechanisms and genetic influence of CRE on cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: HeLa, human cervical cancer cells were treated with various doses of CRE and changes in cell morphology and cell viability were assessed using microscopy and flow cytometry. Finally, we performed a microarray analysis to scan related genes. Results: The treatment of CRE on HeLa cells caused morphological changes and induced chromatin condensation. DNA microarray analysis showed that CRE led to up-regulation of 449 genes and down-regulation of 484 genes, which were classified in several interaction pathways. Conclusion: CRE changed HeLa cell morphology and induced gene expression which associated with apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. These results provide important information at the transcription level for targeting treatments of human cervical cancer.