Midazolam inhibits proliferation of human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma FaDu cells via down-regulation of p300 expression

AIM：To explore the mechanisms by which midazolam inhibits the proliferation of human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma FaDu cells. METHODS：Cultured FaDu cells were treated with different concentrations of midazolam, and p300 gene was silenced by siRNA. MTT assay and BrdU incorporation assay were used to evaluate the proliferation of the cells. The mRNA and protein levels of p300 and the expression of cell cycle-related proteins were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS：Midazolam inhibited the proliferation of FaDu cells, and attenuated the mRNA and protein levels of p300. Knockdown of p300 inhibited the proliferation of FaDu cells, and led to up-regulation of p21 and p27 proteins and down-regulation of p-Rb protein. CONCLUSION: Midazolam inhibits the proliferation of human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma FaDu cells through down-regulating p300 expression.