[Koumine-induced apoptosis of human colonic adenocarcinoma cells: the cell biological mechanism].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the cell biological mechanism of koumine-induced apoptosis of human colonic adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS The effects of LoVo cell koumine on the membrane potential, mitochondrial membrane potential, concentration of cytosolic free calcium, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and gap junctional intercellular communication was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Koumine lowered the membrane potential and mitochondrial membrane potential of LoVo cells and decreased the concentration of free cytosolic calcium, which was increased to a level higher than the basal one after addition of EDTA. Koumine also increased the reactive oxygen species and enhanced the gap junctional intercellular communication of LoVo cells. These findings may explain the possible mechanisms of koumine-induced LoVo cell apoptosis.