Dihydroartemisinin inhibits cell proliferation by induced G1 arrest and apoptosis in human nasopharyngealcarcinoma cells

Context: Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) exhibits anticancer activity in a number of human cancer cells. However, it is still unknown whether DHA has anticancer effect on nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) cells. Aims: To investigate the anticancer activity of DHA on CNE-2 cells. Materials and Methods: Cell cycleand invasion assay were used to detect the effect of DHA on CNE-2 cells. Protein molecular differences were examined by Western blot. Results: DHA strongly inhibited cell proliferation by induced cell cycle G1 arrest and apoptosis in CNE-2 cells. In addition, cell motility, invasion, and colony formation were suppressed by DHA. Conclusions: DHA shows significant anticancer effects on human NPC cells, and may be a preventive and therapeutic agent against NPC.