title: [Anti-tumor effect and mechanism of Paeonol on the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7404].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the anti-tumor effect of Paeonol (Pae) on the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7404 and its molecular mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7404 was treated by Pae in various concentrations and different time points respectively; and then the cell proliferation was assayed by light microscope, MTT method. DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL were used to detect the apoptosis. The expression of PTEN and Akt were examined by RT-PCR and immunocytochemical ABC method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control groups Pae obviously increased the inhibitory and apoptosis rate of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7404. It also showed a typical apoptotic morphology and DNA depicted a ladder pattern characteristic of the apoptosis, indicating the presence of DNA fragmentation. RT-PCR and immunocytochemical ABC assay showed that Pae could increase the expression of PTEN and decrease the expression of Akt.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pae can increase the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect, and its mechanism may be the increase of apoptosis-inducing effect which is regulated by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Combined Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
authors.forename: Chun-hu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Sui-yu
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yun-hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mei-qun
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; C013638:paeonol; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases