Abstract: The effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) combined with oxaliplatin (L-OHP) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer HCT116 cells were studied,and the mechanism of apoptosis was discussed.The effects of DHA,L-OHP and DHA combined with L-OHP in different concentrations on HCT116 cells were detected by MTT.The results showed that DHA and L-OHP inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells.Dihydroartemisinin and oxaliplatin played a synergistic effect at a certain concentration.AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining was used to detect the apoptosis,and the results showed that the apoptosis rate of the combination group was higher than that of DHA group and L-OHP group (P<0.01).In addition,it was found that the apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2/Bax was decreased and the casepase-3 and casepase-8 activity was increased in the combined group compared with the single drug group (P<0.01).The results showed that the combination of dihydroartemisinin and oxaliplatin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer HCT116 cells,exert a synergistic effect at a certain concentration,and induce apoptosis,which may be related to enhance DNA damaged,down-regulation of Bcl-2/Bax and activated casepase-3,casepase-8.

Key words: dihydroartemisinin, oxaliplatin, combination therapy, apoptosis, colon cancer