Effects of cordycepin, gold nanostar and their combination on endometrial cancer cells

Abstract Background: The incidence rate of endometrial cancer has increased significantly in the past two decades. The current chemotherapy of endometrial cancer can cause intolerable side effects. Recently, both cordycepin and gold nanostars have demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth and differentiation of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-endometrial cancer effects of cordycepin, gold nanostars and the combination of two. Methods: The gold nanostars were made by seed-mediated reduction, and their morphology was confirmed by laser particle size analysis, spectrophotometry and electron microscopy. MTT cytotoxicity assays, clonogenic assays and flow cytometry were employed to evaluate the inhibition rate, survival fraction and apoptosis in HEC-1A cells under different concentrations of cordycepin, Au NS and their combination. Results: This study revealed that both cordycepin and Au NS with 808 nm light exposure could inhibit cell proliferation, cause cell apoptosis, and inhibit clone ability of endometrial cancer cells. The combined Au NS-cordycepin solution produced greater anti-cancer effects than each treatment alone. Conclusion: This study supports further investigations into Au NS-cordycepin in the development of new treatments for endometrial cancer.