Apoptotic and necrotic effects of carboxylated quercetin/polyethylenimine complex on HeLa cells

Abstract

The effects of quercetin (Q), carboxylated quercetin (CQ) and carboxylated quercetin/polyethylenimine (CQ/PEI) complex on HeLa cell cultures were investigated. Firstly, carboxylated quercetin was acquired through hydroxyl groups of quercetin, using chloroacetic acid. The complex of CQ/PEI was acquired by electron cooperation path over polietilenimine amine groups and quercetin carboxyl groups. CQ and CQ/PEI obtained were characterised by FTIR and H-1-NMR methods. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. Apoptotic and necrotic indexes were obtained by immunocytochemical staining with the M30 antibodies and double staining and double staining, respectively. It was determined that quercetin caused lower rates of necrosis and apoptosis on HeLa cells by itself, but CQ/PEI complex resulted in high levels. As a result, it was observed that transition of quercetin to HeLa via binding it to polyethylenimine increased its anticarcinogenic effects.