Synergistic anti-cancer effect of baicalein and silymarin on human hepatoma HepG2 Cells.
This study investigated the effect of baicalein, silymarin, and their combination, on two human liver-derived cell lines, HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and Chang liver (non-tumor liver cells). It was found that 6.75 microg/ml baicalein or 100 microg/ml silymarin alone significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2. When baicalein was used in combination with silymarin on HepG2, an additive effect at 24 h and a synergistic effect at 48 h were observed. The viability at 48 h was 85.62% from 6.75 microg/ml baicalein treatment; but the viability reduced to 49.67%, 38.56%, and 19.61% when 25, 50, and 100 microg/ml silymarin respectively, was added to the treatment. By contrast, each treatment had little or no effect on Chang liver. Compared to treatment of baicalein or silymarin alone on HepG2, combination of both drugs synergistically increased the percentages of cells in G0/G1 phase and decreased those in S-phase, which were associated with up-regulation of Rb, p53, p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1) and down-regulation of cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK4 and phospho-Rb. The results indicate that the combination of baicalein and silymarin eradicates tumor cells efficiently, has minimal deleterious effects to the surrounding normal cells, and offers mechanistic insight for further exploitation of HCC treatment.
Chen
Ching-Hsein
CH
Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, National Chiayi University, 300 Syuefu Road, Chiayi 600, Taiwan.
Huang
Tien-Shang
TS
Wong
Chung-Hang
CH
Hong
Chian-Lang
CL
Tsai
Yung-Hong
YH
Liang
Chia-Ching
CC
Lu
Fung-Jou
FJ
Chang
Wen-Huei
WH
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D002453:Cell Cycle; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012838:Silymarin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D044950:Flavanones; D012838:Silymarin; C006680:baicalein