Beta-sitosterol exhibits antiproliferative activity against liver cancer cells. - GreenMedInfo Summary
[Antiproliferative effects mechanism of beta-sitosterul in hepatoma HepG2 cells].
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2011 Aug ;36(15):2145-8. PMID: 22066458
Institute of Chemistry&Biology, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
OBJECTIVE: To study the antiproliferative effects of beta-sitosterul and its mechanism in hepatoma HepG2 cells.
METHOD: Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by high content screening (HCS). The protein expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Bcl-2, Bax, tBid and cytochrome c in the HepG2 cells were evaluated by Western Blots.
RESULT: beta-Sitosterul exerted significant antiproliferative effects in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, beta-sitosterul also induced HepG2 cells apoptosis, lost mitochondrial membrane potential, activated caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, up-regulate Bax, tBid protein, down-regulation Bcl-2 protein. However, beta-sitosterul had hardly any effects on QSG7701 cells.
CONCLUSION: beta-Sitosterul exerted antiproliferative effects and induced HepG2 cells apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway and membrane death receptor pathway.