Induction of apoptosis in HepG2 cells by solanine and Bcl-2 protein.

Abstract

The nightshade (Solanum nigrum Linn.) has been widely used in Chinese traditional medicine as a remedy for the treatment of digestive system cancer. The anti-tumor activity of solanine, a steroid alkaloid isolated from the nightshade has been demonstrated. To observe the effect of anti-tumor and mechanism of solanine. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the IC(50) on the three digestive system tumor cell lines. The effect on the morphology was observed with a laser confocal microscopy; the rate of apoptosis and the cell cycle were measured using flow cytometry (FCM); the expression of Bcl-2 protein was measured by Western blot. The results show that the IC(50) for HepG(2), SGC-7901, and LS-174 were 14.47, >50, and >50 microg/ml, respectively; the morphology of cells in the negative control was normal; for the treated groups, typical signs for apoptosis were found. The rate of apoptosis in HepG(2) cells induced by solanine was found to be 6.0, 14.4, 17.3, 18.9, and 32.2%, respectively. Observation of the cell cycle showed that cells in the G(2)/M phases disappeared while the number of cells in the S phase increased significantly for treated groups. Western blot showed that solanine decreased the expression of Bcl-2 protein. Therefore, the target of solanine in inducing apoptosis in HepG(2) cells seems to be mediated by the inhibition in the expression of Bcl-2 protein.

• Authors: Y B Ji, S Y Gao, C F Ji, X Zou
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 115 Issue 2 Pg. 194-202 (Jan 17 2008) ISSN: 0378-8741 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 18022776 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• Solanine

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Blotting, Western
• Cell Cycle (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Digestive System Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Flow Cytometry
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (drug effects)
• Humans
• Inhibitory Concentration 50
• Medicine, Chinese Traditional
• Microscopy, Confocal
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (drug effects, genetics)
• Solanine (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Solanum nigrum (chemistry)