Induction of apoptosis in human hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro by psoralen from Psoralea corylifolia.
Psoralen is a major active component of Psoralea corylifolia. In the present study, we analyzed psoralen-induced changes in human hepatocarcinoma cell viability and apoptosis, and investigated the underlying mechanisms of the proapoptotic effect of the compound on SMMC-7721 cells. We measured human hepatocarcinoma cell viability by MTT assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, and evaluated the activity of caspase 3 and the expression of p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 proteins, involved in regulating cell apoptosis. Psoralen was able to inhibit the growth of SMMC-7721 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner and had a strong proapoptotic effect on these cells. We show a dose-dependent increase in caspase-3 activity, and elevated levels of p53 and Bax proteins in psoralen-treated cells, that coincided with dose-dependent decrease in Bcl-2 expression. These results suggest that psoralen induces apoptosis in cancer cells via mechanisms that involve caspase-3, p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 pathway. Our results may provide a molecular basis for the further development of natural compounds as novel anticancer agents for human hepatomas.
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu Military District, Chengdu, 610083, People's Republic of China, drzhongyongjiang@163.com.
Zhongyong
Z
Jiang
Jie
J
Xiong
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005363:Ficusin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D029907:Psoralea / Q000737:chemistry*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3; D005363:Ficusin