Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of gambogenic acid (GNA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods After HUVECs were cultured with different concentrations of GNA for 24 and 48 hours, MTT assay was used to observe the inhibitory effect of GNA on cell growth, and an inverted microscope was used to observe morphological changes of HUVECs. After DAPI staining, an inverted fluorescence microscope was used to observe the effect of GNA on cell morphology. Annexin Ⅴ-FITC/PI staining and flow cytometry were used to observe the effect of GNA on the apoptosis rate of HUVECs. Western blot was used to measure the effect of GNA on the expression of the apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3 in HUVECs. Results MTT assay showed that GNA significantly inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Fluorescence microscopy showed the apoptosis of a large number of HUVECs after GNA treatment. Flow cytometry showed that compared with the normal control group, HUVECs treated with GNA had a significant increase in apoptosis rate, which increased with the increase in the concentration of GNA. Western blot showed a significant increase in the protein expression of Caspase-3. Conclusion GNA has a marked inhibitory effect on HUVECs, possibly by inducing cell apoptosis.