title: Tetrastigma hemsleyanum (Sanyeqing) root tuber extracts induces apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tetrastigma hemsleyanum (Sanyeqing) is traditionally used as a folk medicine for the treatment of cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mechanisms by which petroleum ether fraction (PEF) of Sanyeqing has anti-tumor activity on HeLa cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The chemical components of PEF were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The cytotoxicity of PEF on HeLa cells was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by phosphatidylserine translocation, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) changes and the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9. The levels in T-SOD, CAT, GSH-PX and MDA were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PEF of Sanyeqing inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis of HeLa cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. PEF triggered intrinsic apoptotic pathway indicated by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. In addition, PEF activated extrinsic apoptotic pathway indicated by the activation of caspase-8. Furthermore, PEF decreased T-SOD, CAT, GSH-PX activities and increased MDA level. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of fatty acids and phytosterol in PEF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEF of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et. Gilg (Sanyeqing) exhibits cytotoxic effects, triggers both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, and augments oxidative stress in cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. Sanyeqing has strong potential to be developed as an agent for the treatment of cervical cancer.
authors.affiliation: College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 411107, China; College of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: College of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China. Electronic address: wxw@xtu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xuewen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 411107, China. Electronic address: raoliqun@163.com.
authors.forename: Liqun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D027844:Vitaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal
keywords: Apoptosis; GC–MS; HeLa cell; Hexadecanoic acid (PubChem CID: 985); Linoleic acid (PubChem CID: 5280450); Octadecanoic acid (PubChem CID: 5281).; Oleic acid (PubChem CID: 445639); Tetrastigma hemsleyanum; β-Sitosterol (PubChem CID: 222284)