To explore the toxicity mechanisms of neochamaejasmin B (NCB) extracted from Stellera chamaejasme L., we first evaluated its cytotoxicity in neuronal cells of Helicoverpa zea (AW1 cells). NCB inhibited cell growth and was cytotoxic to AW1 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Further, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to analyze the microstructure, and typical apoptotic characteristics were observed in AW1 cells treated with NCB. Moreover, the NCB-induced apoptosis was dose dependent. Subsequently, we explored the mechanism of apoptosis. A decline in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was found. Also, the levels of Bax were increased with increases in drug concentration, but there was no statistical difference in Bcl-2 levels at different NCB doses. Caspase-3 and caspase-10 activity was increased.These findings confirmed that NCB induced apoptosis in AW1 cells through a caspase-10-dependent mechanism.The results provide the basic information needed for understanding the toxicity and mechanisms of action of NCB, which could potentially be used to develop NCB as a new insecticide.
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