Abstract: AIM: To study the specificity of the antiproliferative effects of artesunate on fibroblast. METHODS: Human embryo lung fibroblasts cell line (HLF), human skin scar fibroblasts cell (HSF) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were selected in this trial. Cells were verified by immune his to-chemical method. A quantitative cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay. Cell morphology change was identified by light microscopy. The apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Artesunate inhibited the proliferation of HLF and HSF cells after cells were treated with artesunate for 24 hours in the dose range of 30-240mg·L^-1 (P <0.05). It had little inhibitory effects on HUVEC(P >0.05). Their IC₅₀ were 64, 60 and 600 mg·L^-1, respectively. Under light microscope, fibroblast treated with artemisinin assumed smaller, ellipse rather than fusiform in shape with increase of cytoplasmic particles, even with cell apoptosis. Ladder pattern of DNA were observed in artesumate-treated cells in the dose of 240 mg·L^-1.However, DNA of HUVEC cells was not affected in expropriate condition. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of artesunate is specific on fibroblast coming from skin and lung. Artesunate can induce the apoptosis of the two fibroblasts, but it has no effect on HUVEC cells.

Key words: artesunate, fibroblast, HSF Cell line, HLF cell line, ECV304 Cell line, MTT selective action