Dielectric barrier discharge plasma in Ar/O2 promoting apoptosis behavior in A549 cancer cells

The Ar/O-2 plasma needle in the induction of A549 cancer cells apoptosis process is studied by means of real-time observation. The entire process of programmed cell death is observed. The typical morphological changes of A549 apoptosis are detected by 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, for example, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. Cell viability is determined and quantified by neutral red uptake assay, and the survival rate of A549 from Ar/O-2 plasmas is presented. Further spectral analysis indicates the reactive species, including O and OH play crucial roles in the cell inactivation. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3666819]