title: The apoptotic effect of sarsasapogenin from Anemarrhena asphodeloides on HepG2 human hepatoma cells.
abstract: Sarsasapogenin, a kind of mainly effective components of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Liliaceae) has the effects of being anti-diabetes and improving memory. However, there are few reports focusing on its anti-tumor effects. In this study, the sarsasapogenin was extracted from rhizomes of A. asphodeloides Bunge and applied to inhibit HepG2 human hepatoma cells. MTT assay showed that sarsasapogenin induced a distinct dose- and time-dependent diminution of cell viability with IC(50) of 42.4+/-1.0microg/ml for 48h. Furthermore, sarsasapogenin-induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells was verified by Hoechst 33258 staining, electron microscopy, DNA fragmentation and PI staining. Flow cytometry analysis showed that sarsasapogenin-induced cell apoptosis was through arrest of cell cycle in G(2)/M phase. Hence we proposed that sarsasapogenin could be used as an anti-liver cancer drug for future studies.
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang University, College of Life Science, Institute of Biochemistry, No. 388, Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, China.
authors.forename: Wenna
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Haifeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xingguo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gong
mesh_terms: D031403:Anemarrhena / Q000737:chemistry*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006690:Bisbenzimidazole; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013150:Spirostans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D013150:Spirostans; C046297:sarsasapogenin; D006690:Bisbenzimidazole