Effects of Fat-soluble Extracts From Vegetable Powder and Beta Carotene on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Lung Cancer Cell YTMLC-90

The aim of this investigation was to study the effects of fat-soluble extracts from vegetable powder (FEFVP) and ß-carotene on the proliferation and apoptosis of cultured YTMLC-90 lung cancer cells. Methods The lung cancer cells were continuously exposed to a broad range of concentration of FEFVP and ß-carotene. The proliferation was evaluated in MTT test. The induction of apoptosis was evaluated by morphological change, DNA fragmentation analysis, and DNA content analysis combined with flow cytometric analysis. Results Both FEFVP and ß-carotene were found to inhibit cell proliferation and to induce morphologic changes consistent with apoptosis in YTMLC-90 cancer cells, including cellular shrinkage, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. DNA agarose gel electrophoresis showed DNA fragmentation 'ladder'. Flow cytometric analysis revealed decreased DNA content and the presence of a sub-Gi apoptotic peak. Conclusion These findings are consistent with the induction of apoptosis. Moreover, the effects of FEFVP are stronger than those of ß-carotene. FEFVP inhibits the growth of YTMLC-90 probably via the induction of apoptosis cancer cells.