Radix bupleuri containing compound (KY88 liver-livo) induces apoptosis and production of interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in liver cancer cells in vitro.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is an important health problem in Asia. A blend of herbal extracts containing radix bupleuri (KY88) was tested for its effects on liver cancer cells. A hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HB8064) was cultured with methanol extract of KY88. We were able to produce a dose-dependent inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. At IC50 and IC100, KY88 induces a DNA ladder pattern, indicating the presence of apoptosis. We also checked the changes of the levels of interleukin (IL)-2, -4 and -6, interferon (INF)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by ELISA kits. After 24 hours of culture, there was activation of IL-2 and -4 and TNF-alpha. However, significant changes were observed only for IL-4 and TNF-alpha. Therefore, we concluded that KY88 is able to induce apoptosis, which may be regulated through changes in IL-4 and TNF-alpha.
Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, China. lwcchow@hkucc.hku.hk
Louis W C
LW
Chow
Wings T Y
WT
Loo
Jonathan S T
JS
Sham
Mary N B
MN
Cheung
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C492792:KY88 liver-livo; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015847:Interleukin-4