title: [Inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line HepG2 by tanshione IIA].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of tanshinone IIA on the growth and apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line HepG2.
  
  
  METHODS
  The human hepatoma cell line HepG2 was treated with tanshinone IIA at various concentrations for 72 h. The inhibition of proliferation was measured by MTT assay and apoptosis-related alterations in morphology measured by cytochemical staining (HT33258). DNA fragmentation was evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Apoptotic rate and cell arrest were quantified by flow cytometry (FCM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tanshinone IIA inhibited the growth of HepG2 in a time- and dose- dependent manner. The semi-inhibitory concentration (IC50) value after the treatment with tanshinone IIA on HepG2 for 24, 48 and 72 h were 14.7, 7.4, and 3.9 microg/ mL, respectively. After the treatment with 0.5 - 10 microg/mL tanshinone IIA for 72 h, the formation of apoptotic bodies was observed. DNA ladder was shown in agarose gel electrophoresis, in addition to the cells treated by 1.0 microg/mL tanshinone IIA . The apoptotic rates at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 microg/mL for 72 h were 20.32%+/-2.16%, 28.0%+/-2.35%, 33.87%+/-3.43%, 46.73%+/-4.08% and 57.85%+/-3.74%, respectively, which were all significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tanshinone IIA can inhibit the proliferation of human hepatoma cell line HepG2 in a time- and dose- dependent manner, and the mechanism of growth inhibition of human hepatoma cells may be related to the induction of apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Medical School of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410006, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Wen-Gui
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yong-He
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Qi-Xing
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D045784:Abietanes; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D045784:Abietanes; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C021751:tanshinone