Ethanol Extract ofDianthus chinensisL. Induces Apoptosis in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 CellsIn Vitro
Open Access
- 1 January 2012
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Hindawi Limited in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Vol. 2012, 1-8
- https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/573527
Abstract
Dianthus chinensisL. is used to treat various diseases including cancer; however, the molecular mechanism by which the ethanol extract ofDianthus chinensisL. (EDCL) induces apoptosis is unknown. In this study, the apoptotic effects of EDCL were investigated in human HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Treatment with EDCL significantly inhibited cell growth in a concentration- and time-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis. This induction was associated with chromatin condensation, activation of caspases, and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase protein. However, apoptosis induced by EDCL was attenuated by caspase inhibitor, indicating an important role for caspases in EDCL responses. Furthermore, EDCL did not alter the expression of bax in HepG2 cells but did selectively downregulate the expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xl, resulting in an increase in the ratio of bax:bcl-2 and bax:bcl-xl. These results support a mechanism whereby EDCL induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway and caspase activation in HepG2 cells.Keywords
Funding Information
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine
This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:
- Leachianone A as a potential anti-cancer drug by induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2 cellsCancer Letters, 2007
- Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of telomerase activity by aqueous extract from Platycodon grandiflorum in human lung carcinoma cellsPharmacological Research, 2005
- Cancer Statistics, 2005CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2005
- Novel and therapeutic effect of caffeic acid and caffeic acid phenyl ester on hepatocarcinoma cells: complete regression of hepatoma growth and metastasis by dual mechanismThe FASEB Journal, 2004
- Ganoderma lucidum extract induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF‐7 human breast cancer cellInternational Journal of Cancer, 2002
- The Baxα:Bcl-2 ratio modulates the response to dexamethasone in leukaemic cells and is highly variable in childhood acute leukaemiaInternational Journal of Cancer, 1997
- Triterpenoid saponins from Dianthus chinensisPhytochemistry, 1994
- Dianchinenosides A and B, Two New Saponins from Dianthus chinensisJournal of Natural Products, 1993
- Hepatocellular carcinoma: Recent progressJournal of Hepatology, 1992
- C-diholosylflavones dans les feuilles du melon (Cucumis melo)Phytochemistry, 1976