title: Apoptosis Induction by the Total Flavonoids from Arachniodes exilis in HepG2 Cells through Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction Involving MAPK Activation.
abstract: Arachniodes exilis is used as a folk medicine in China and proved to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and sedative activities. In the present study, the antitumor effect of the total flavonoids of A. exilis (TFAE) against HepG2 cells was evaluated. The results showed that TFAE inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in a dosage- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 fluorescence staining results showed that TFAE could significantly increase the apoptosis ratio of HepG2 cells, which is accompanied with increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Western blotting indicated that TFAE downregulated the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, increased cytochrome c release, and activated the caspases-3 and -9. Further analysis showed that TFAE stimulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). However, treatment with NAC (reactive oxygen species scavenger) and MAPK-specific inhibitors (SP600125 and SB203580) could reverse the changes of these apoptotic-related proteins. These results suggested that TFAE possessed potential anticancer activity in HepG2 cells through ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction involving MAPK pathway.
authors: Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation of Hubei Province, College of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China ; Basic Medical College of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang 332000, China.
authors: Huimin
authors: 0000-0003-0773-1511
authors: H
authors: Li
authors: Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation of Hubei Province, College of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation of Hubei Province, College of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
authors: Chaomei
authors: C
authors: Xiong
authors: Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation of Hubei Province, College of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
authors: Han
authors: H
authors: Wei
authors: Basic Medical College of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang 332000, China.
authors: Changchang
authors: C
authors: Yin
authors: Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation of Hubei Province, College of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
authors: Jinlan
authors: J
authors: Ruan