Berberine, a natural alkaloid sensitizes human hepatocarcinoma to ionizing radiation by blocking autophagy and cell cycle arrest resulting in senescence

Abstract Objective To study the radiosensitizing potential of Berberine and the underlying mechanism in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. Methods HepG2 cells were challenged with X-rays in combination with Berberine treatment and several in vitro assays were performed. Alteration in cell viabilit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology 2020-12, Vol.72 (12), p.1893-1908
Main Authors: Ramesh, Gautham, Das, Shubhankar, Bola Sadashiva, Satish Rao
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Apoptosis
Autophagy
Berberine
Cell cycle
Cell death
Cell proliferation
Cell viability
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Flow cytometry
Fluorescence microscopy
G2/M arrest
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Immunoblotting
Intracellular
Ionizing radiation
Liver cancer
Membrane potential
Mitochondria
mitotic catastrophe
Organelles
Oxidative stress
Phagocytosis
polyphenols
radioresistance
Radiosensitization
Senescence
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Summary:Abstract Objective To study the radiosensitizing potential of Berberine and the underlying mechanism in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. Methods HepG2 cells were challenged with X-rays in combination with Berberine treatment and several in vitro assays were performed. Alteration in cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Changes in intracellular ROS levels, mitochondrial membrane potential/mass, intracellular acidic vesicular organelles as well as cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death were analysed by flow cytometry. Induction of autophagy was assessed by staining the cells with Monodansylcadaverine/Lysotracker red dyes and immunoblotting for LC3I/II and p62 proteins. Phase-contrast/fluorescence microscopy was employed to study mitotic catastrophe and senescence. Cellular senescence was confirmed by immunoblotting for p21 levels and ELISA for Interleukin-6. Key findings X-rays + Berberine had a synergistic effect in reducing cell proliferation accompanied by a robust G2/M arrest. Berberine-mediated radiosensitization was associated with elevated levels of LC3II and p62 suggesting blocked autophagy that was followed by mitotic catastrophe and senescence. Treatment of cells with X-rays + Berberine resulted in increased oxidative stress, hyperpolarized mitochondria with increased mitochondrial mass and reduced ATP levels. Conclusions The study expands the understanding of the pharmacological properties of Berberine and its applicability as a radiosensitizer towards treating liver cancer.
ISSN:0022-3573
2042-7158
DOI:10.1111/jphp.13354