[Induction of apoptosis of cultured hepatocarcinoma cell by essential oil of Artemisia Annul L].
OBJECTIVE
To know whether the essential oil of Artemisia annul L. can induce apoptosis of cultured hepatocarcinoma cell SMMC-7721.


METHODS
Hepatocarcinoma cells were treated by the essential oil of Artemisia annul L. while positive control was treated by hydroxycamptothecine (HPT) and negative or mock control was treated by normal saline (NS). Induction of the apoptosis was analyzed by using flow cytometry (FCM), light microscope and electronic microscope, Giemsa's stain and DNA pattern after drug treatment.


RESULTS
After the treatment of the cells with 100 micrograms/ml essential oil of Artemisia annul L. for 24 hours, the morphological changes of classic apoptosis such as condensation of cytoplasm, fragmentation of nuclear chromatin, and apoptosis body were seen. The sub-G1 peak was exhibited by FCM, and the DNA ladder pattern was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrated that the essential oil of Artemisia annul L. could induce apoptosis of cultured SMMC-7721.
Li
Yan
Y
Department of Microbiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Li
Ming-yuan
MY
Wang
Lin
L
Jiang
Zhong-hua
ZH
Li
Wan-yi
WY
Li
Hong
H
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D031172:Artemisia annua / Q000737:chemistry; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D009822:Oils, Volatile