Objective: To investigate the effect of quercetin on apoptosis and feedback regulation of MDM2-p53 in multiform glioblastoma U87 cells in vitro.
Methods: U87 cells exposed to different concentrations of quercetin (50, 100, and 150 µmol/L) were examined with flow cytometry, RT-PCR and Western blotting for detecting the cell apoptosis, MDM2 mRNA expression, and p53 and caspase-3 expressions.
Results: Quercetin induced obvious apoptosis in U87 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with apoptosis rates of (12.40∓0.70)% at Q0, (22.53∓0.72)% at Q50, (29.06∓0.81)% at Q100, and (31.5∓0.45)% at Q150. Quercetin significantly increased the expressions of MDM2 mRNA and active caspase-3 protein but decreased the expression of p53 in the cells.
Conclusion: Quercetin promotes the apoptosis of multiform glioblastoma U87 cells mediated by caspase-3 and influences the feedback balance of MDM2-p53.