Anti-proliferative efficacy of icariin on HepG2 hepatoma and its possible mechanism of action.
The aim of the present work was to explore the anti-hepatoma effects of icariin both in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate its potential mechanism of action. The MTT assay was applied to test the anti-proliferative effects of icariin in vitro. HepG2 bearing NMRI nu/nu mice were used to test the anticancer effects of icariin in vivo. Immunohistochemical assay and flow cytometry assay (FACS) were applied to detect the possible mechanisms of action of icariin. MTT assay illustrated that icariin inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a concentration dependent manner; meanwhile, icariin inhibited the tumor growth in HepG2 bearing NMRI nu/nu mice. The tumor weight was inhibited by 55.6% and tumor volume was inhibited by 47.2%. Icariin did not influence the spleen and body weights or blood parameters. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the expressions of both CD31 and Ki67 in the icariin treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.01). FACS assay showed that icariin dramatically decreased the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in bone marrow and CD19+ cells in blood on day 8. On day 17, the percentage of CD8+ cells in blood was lower than those in the control group. CD4/CD8 ratio in icariin group was significantly elevated in bone marrow on day 17. Icariin showed anticancer efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. The possible mechanism of action could be related to its anti-angiogenesis and anti-proliferative effects in tumors.
Yang
Jin-Xia
JX
Integrated Laboratory of TCM and Western Medicine of Peking University First Hospital and Integrated Institute of TCM and Western Medicine of Peking University, Beijing 100034, China.
Fichtner
Iduna
I
Becker
Monika
M
Lemm
Margit
M
Wang
Xue-Mei
XM
D000818:Animals; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000097:blood; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D005419:Flavonoids; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C056599:icariin