Dihydroartemisinin inhibits colon cancer cell viability by inducing apoptosis through up-regulation of PPARγ expression.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of dihydroartemisinin on the colon cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. The results from MTT assay revealed a concentration and time dependent relation between the inhibition of SW 948 cell viability and dihydroartemisinin addition. The viability of SW 948 cells was reduced to 45 and 24% on treatment with 30 and 50 µM, respectively concentrations of dihydroartemisinin after 48 h. Morphological examination of SW 948 cells showed attainment of rounded shape and cluster formation on treatment with dihydroartemisinin. Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in the activation of caspase-3 and expression of cleaved PARP by dihydroartemisinin treatment. The activation of PPARγ was increased significantly in SW 948 cells by treatment with dihydroartemisinin. Compared to control, the migration potential of SW 948 cells was reduced significantly (p < 0.005) and the expression levels of MMP-2 and -9 inhibited by dihydroartemisinin at 50 µM concentration. In the dihydroartemisinin treatment group colon tumor formation was significantly inhibited on treatment with 20 mg/kg doses of dihydroartemisinin after 30 days. Therefore, dihydroartemisinin inhibits colon cancer growth by inducing apoptosis and increasing the expression of PPARγ. Thus dihydroartemisinin can be used for the treatment of colon cancer.