Solanum nigrum L. polyphenolic extract inhibits hepatocarcinoma cell growth by inducing G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis.
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rapidly progressive cancer with poor prognosis. However, there have been no significant new developments in treating liver cancer. To search for an effective agent against HCC progression, we prepared a polyphenolic extract of Solanum nigrum L. (SNPE), a herbal plant indigenous to Southeast Asia and commonly used in oriental medicine, to evaluate its inhibitive effect on hepatocarcinoma cell growth. The growth inhibition of HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo was determined in the presence of SNPE.


RESULTS
We found 1 µg mL(-1) SNPE-fed mice showed decreased tumor weight and tumor volume by 90%. Notably, 2 µg mL(-1) SNPE resulted in almost complete inhibition of tumor weight as well as tumor volume. In line with this notion, SNPE reduced the viability of HepG(2) cells in a dose-dependent manner. HepG(2) cells were arrested in the G(2)/M phase of the cell cycle; meanwhile, the protein levels of cell CDC25A, CDC25B, and CDC25C were clearly reduced. Moreover, sub-G(1) phase accumulation and caspases-3, 8, and 9 cleavages were induced by SNPE.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that SNPE is a potent agent for HCC treatment through targeting G(2)/M arrest and apoptosis induction, achieving cell growth inhibition.
Wang
Hsueh-Chun
HC
Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
Chung
Pei-Jun
PJ
Wu
Cheng-Hsun
CH
Lan
Kuang-Ping
KP
Yang
Mon-Yuan
MY
Wang
Chau-Jong
CJ
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059808:Polyphenols; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D032324:Solanum nigrum / Q000737:chemistry*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D011506:Proteins; D020169:Caspases