title: Stigmasterol isolated from marine microalgae Navicula incerta induces apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.
abstract: Plant sterols have shown potent anti-proliferative effects and apoptosis induction against breast and prostate cancers. However, the effect of sterols against hepatic cancer has not been investigated. In the present study, we assessed whether the stigmasterol isolated from Navicula incerta possesses apoptosis inductive effect in hepatocarcimona (HepG2) cells. According to the results, Stigmasterol has up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic gene expressions (Bax, p53) while down-regulating the anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2). Probably via mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathway. With the induction of apoptosis caspase-8, 9 were activated. The DNA damage and increase in apoptotic cell numbers were observed through Hoechst staining, annexin V staining and cell cycle analysis. According to these results, we can suggest that the stigmasterol shows potent apoptosis inductive effects and has the potential to be tested as an anti-cancer therapeutic against liver cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Sang
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Chemical Biology Center of YanBian University, Yanji, Jilin 133002, China.
authors.forename: Xi-Feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Marine Bioprocess Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyong-Hwa
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: BoMi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Marine Bioprocess Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737; Specialized Graduate School Science and Technology Convergence, Department of Marine Bio Convergence Science., Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea.
authors.forename: Se Kwon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053181:Caspase 8 / Q000378:metabolism; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D017377:Diatoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013265:Stigmasterol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D013265:Stigmasterol; D053181:Caspase 8; D053453:Caspase 9