[Glycyrrhetinic acid selectively inhibits proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the selective inhibitory effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on 4 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells with different proliferation rates and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS:

MTT method was used to detect the proliferation rates of 4 HCC cell lines, namely SMMC-7721, SK-HEP1, HEPG2 and HEP3B. Following treatment of the cells with glycyrrhetinic acid (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 60 µmol/L), the cell viability was analyzed using MTT assay and the expressions of total ERK protein, p-ERK protein and topoisomerase IIα were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTS:

Among the 4 cell lines, SMMC-7721 had the lowest and SK-HEP1 had the highest proliferation rate. Treatment with glycyrrhetinic acid for 48 h dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of all the 4 cell lines in vitro and produced the strongest inhibitory effect in SMMC-7721 cells with the IC50 of 28.04 µmol/L. The proliferation rate of the cells was positively correlated with the expression levels of p-ERK and topoisomerase IIα, which were the lowest in SMMC-7721 cells and the highest in SK-HEP1 cells. Treatment with 50 µmol/L glycyrrhetinic acid significantly down-regulated the expressions of p-ERK and topoisomerase IIα in the 4 HCC cell lines (P<0.05), while 25 µmol/L glycyrrhetinic acid significantly reduced the expression of topoisomerase IIα and p-ERK in SMMC-7721, HEPG2 and HEP3B cells (P<0.05) but not in SK-HEP1 cells.

CONCLUSION:

Glycyrrhetinic acid can inhibit the proliferation of different HCC cells particularly in cells with a low proliferation rate. The inhibitory effect of glycyrrhetinic acid might be mediated by reducing the expressions of topoisomerase IIα and inhibiting the ERK pathway.

• Authors: Yun-Qi Zhang, Yun Cai, Yuan Liu, Bo-Xin Zhao, Guo-Feng Li
• Journal: Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University (Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao) Vol. 38 Issue 4 Pg. 477-482 (Apr 20 2018) ISSN: 1673-4254 [Print] China
• PMID: 29735451 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
• DNA Topoisomerases, Type II
• Glycyrrhetinic Acid

Topics

• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• DNA Topoisomerases, Type II (metabolism)
• Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases (metabolism)
• Glycyrrhetinic Acid (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (pathology)