Abstract:      Background and purpose: Bladder cancer is the most common urological malignancy in our country which seriously threatens human health, and its incidence increased year by year. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hinokitiol on the proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy in human bladder cancer cell lines. Methods: CCK-8 assays were performed to analyze the effects of hinokitiol on the proliferation of J82 cells. Apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. Cleaved caspase 3, LC3 and P62 protein expression was determined using Western blot. EGFP-LC3 microscopy assay was performed to assess autophagy. Results: Hinokitiol significantly inhibited the proliferation of J82 cells and induced cell apoptosis via caspase pathway. The apoptosis effect of hinokitiol could be partially antagonized by Z-VAD-FMK. Hinokitiol induced autophagy of J82 cells, increased LC3 expression and down-regulated P62 expression. 3-MA is able to rescue Tet-induced cell death. Conclusion: Hinokitiol can inhibit the proliferation of J82 cells and induce cell apoptosis via autophagy activation.

Key words: Hinokitiol, Bladder cancer, Cell apoptosis, Cell proliferation, Cell autophagy