Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to explore the radiation therapy(RT)of modified metal organic frameworks(Zr metal organic frameworks,Zr-MOF)based on quercetin(QU;3,3 ′,4 ′,5,7-5 hydroxyflavone)combined with doxorubicin(DOX)on the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer HeLa cells.Methods HeLa cells were divided into the control group,RT group,doxorubicin treatment group(Zr-MOF-DOX+RT),QU treatment group(Zr-MOF-QU+RT),and combined treatment group(Zr-MOF-QU-DOX+RT).The cell clone formation assay was used to detect proliferation of HeLa cells in each treatment group.Western blot and immunofluorescence assays were used to detect the expression of apoptotic protein Caspase-3 and hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)in HeLa cells.Results The cell proliferation in the combined group was significantly lower than that of the other groups,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The expression of HIF-1α protein in the combination group was significantly lower than that in the other groups(P＜0.05),and the expression of Caspase-3 protein in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the other treatment groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Quercetin-labeled metal organic framework radiotherapy combined with doxorubicin has a more significant inhibitory effect on HeLa cells.The combined treatment group has a strong effect on antitumor by up-regulating the expression of apoptotic protein Caspase-3 and down-regulating HIF-1α.

Key words: Zr-MOF, Quercetin, Doxorubicin, Cervical cancer, HeLa cells, Apoptosis