[Effect of Scutellaria barbata extract against human hepatocellular Hep-G2 cell proliferation and its mechanism].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of Scutellaria barbata extract (ESB) on human hepatoma cell line Hep-G2 proliferation in vitro and explore the mechanism.


METHODS
The inhibitory effect of ESB on Hep-G2 proliferation was estimated by MTT assay, and the morphological changes of the cells were observed under optical and electron microscopes. Distribution of cell cycle, cell apoptosis and the protein expressions of apoptosis-associated genes as bcl-2, bax and fas were analyzed using flow cytometry.


RESULTS
ESB inhibited the proliferation of Hep-G2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. ESB treatment for 72 h resulted in changes of early apoptotic morphology of the cells as observed under optical and the transmission electron microscopes and increased cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed decreased S-phase and increased G0/G1-phase cells. Fas expression was significantly up-regulated in response to ESB treatment whereas Bcl-2 and Bax expressions underwent no significant changes.


CONCLUSIONS
ESB can inhibit Hep-G2 cell proliferation, induce cell cycle block, and increase cell apoptosis, which may relate to the activation of FNFR superfamily.
Lin
Jing-ming
JM
Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China.
Liu
Yu
Y
Luo
Rong-cheng
RC
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis; D031363:Scutellaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000032:analysis; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000032:analysis
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D019014:fas Receptor