Cold atmospheric plasma‑activated Ringer's solution inhibits the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP)‑activated Ringer's solution on osteosarcoma cell lines MG63 and U2OS, and to identify the molecular mechanism underlying these effects. CAP‑activated Ringer's solution was used to treat osteosarcoma cell lines MG63 and U2OS for 30 min. Cell viability was measured using the MTT method. The apoptosis rate was detected using Annexin‑V and propidium iodide. The expression levels of cytochrome c, caspase‑3 and polyADP ribose polymerase (PARP) in MG63 cells were analyzed via western blotting. The change in mitochondrial membrane potential was detected via the JC‑1 dye method and verified by the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). CAP‑activated Ringer's solution inhibited the proliferation of MG63 and U2OS cells in a dose‑ and time‑dependent manner. Furthermore, CAP‑activated Ringer's solution induced the apoptosis of MG63 cells, increased the intracellular ROS level, decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential level, and induced the release of cytochrome c. CAP‑activated Ringer's solution inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation through intracellular ROS‑mediated mitochondrial apoptosis.