[Anti-tumor effect and mechanism of Paeonol on the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7404].
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.
Zhang
Chun-hu
CH
Institute of Combined Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Hu
Sui-yu
SY
Li
Yun-hui
YH
Cao
Mei-qun
MQ
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
D000098:Acetophenones; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; C013638:paeonol; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases