Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of quercetin on apoptosis and feedback regulation of MDM2-p53 in multiform
glioblastoma U87 cells in vitro. Methods U87 cells exposed to different concentrations of quercetin (50, 100, and 150 μmol/L)
were examined with flow cytometry, RT-PCR and Western blotting for detecting the cell apoptosis, MDM2 mRNA expression,
and p53 and caspase-3 expressions. Results Quercetin induced obvious apoptosis in U87 cells in a concentration-dependent
manner, with apoptosis rates of (12.40 ± 0.70)% at Q0, (22.53 ± 0.72)% at Q50, (29.06 ± 0.81)% at Q100, and (31.5 ± 0.45)% at Q150.
Quercetin significantly increased the expressions of MDM2 mRNA and active caspase-3 protein but decreased the expression
of p53 in the cells. Conclusion Quercetin promotes the apoptosis of multiform glioblastoma U87 cells mediated by caspase-3
and influences the feedback balance of MDM2-p53.