Dioscin, a saponin extracted from the root of Polygonatum Zanlanscianense Pamp, markedly inhibited proliferation
of Hela cells. The results indicated that Hela cells underwent apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent
manners when treated with Dioscin. Caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities were also detected. The low enzymatic activity
of caspase-8 and high activity of caspase-9 showed that the mitochondrial pathway was activated in apoptosis.
The reduced expression of the survival protein Bcl-2 also confirmed this result. These studies may be significant
in finding a new drug to treat human cervical cancer.