Induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells by solamargine from Solanum nigrum L.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Solanum nigrum L. (SNL), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb endowed with diuretic, antipyretic and hepatoprotective effects, has been used as a major ingredient of folk prescriptions for anticancer treatment in China.

AIM OF THE STUDY:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of solamargine (SM), a major steroidal alkaloid glycoside purified from SNL, on human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells and investigate the possible mechanism of SM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The MTT assay was used to evaluate the IC(50) on tumor cell lines. The effect on morphology was observed with a light or fluorescence microscopy. The rate of apoptosis and the cell cycle were measured using flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of caspase-3 protein was measured by colorimetric assay.

RESULTS:

SM significantly inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells and induced cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that SM caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Moreover, SM could up-regulate the expression of caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study indicated that SM exerted potential anticancer activity on SMMC-7721 cells in vitro through the activation of caspase-3 and the regulation of the cell cycle progression to induce apoptosis and inhibit hepatoma cells proliferation.

• Authors: Xia Ding, Fang-Shi Zhu, Min Li, Si-Guo Gao
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 139 Issue 2 Pg. 599-604 (Jan 31 2012) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 22172325 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Plant Extracts
• Solanaceous Alkaloids
• beta-solamarine
• CASP3 protein, human
• Caspase 3

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (pathology)
• Caspase 3 (metabolism)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cell Shape (drug effects)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Colorimetry
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Enzyme Activation
• Flow Cytometry
• G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints (drug effects)
• Hep G2 Cells
• Humans
• Inhibitory Concentration 50
• Liver Neoplasms (pathology)
• Microscopy, Fluorescence
• Plant Extracts (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Plants, Medicinal
• Solanaceous Alkaloids (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Solanum nigrum (chemistry)
• Up-Regulation