[Inhibition of NF-kappa B activity enhanced apoptosis induced by matrine in hepatocellular carcinoma cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between activation of nuclear factor-kappa gene binding (NF-kappaB) and apoptosis induced by matrine in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2.


METHODS
HepG2 cells were stimulated by different concentrations of matrine (0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 g/L). The HepG2 cell survival rates were evaluated by MTT assay. Cultured HepG2 cells were implanted in culture flasks and divided into four groups: a control group, a pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) group (20 micromol/L), a matrine group (1.5 g/L) and a combination group, PDTC (20 micromol/L) + matrine (1.5 g/L) combination group. Apoptosis induced by matrine was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM) and TUNEL. The DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).


RESULTS
PDTC enhanced the inhibition of matrine on cell proliferation (F=183.92, P less than 0.01). The apoptosis and activation of NF-kappaB of HepG2 cells were induced by matrine. PDTC significantly suppressed NF-kappaB activation induced by matrine in HepG2 cells. PDTC increased the apoptosis induced by matrine of the HepG2 cells from 6.11% +/- 0.81% to 12.95% +/- 0.02%, chi2=9.67, P less than 0.01.


CONCLUSIONS
Matrine could induce apoptosis, and at the same time induce activation of NF-kappaB in HepG2 cells. PDTC increases the apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and it may be related to suppressing NF-kB activation of HepG2 cells.
Gao
Hang
H
Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing, China.
He
Song
S
Tang
Wei-Xue
WX
Wang
Jue
J
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D011392:Proline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013859:Thiocarbamates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000093842:Matrines
D000470:Alkaloids; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011807:Quinolizines; D013859:Thiocarbamates; C066229:prolinedithiocarbamate; D011392:Proline; D000093842:Matrines