Bear bile powder (熊胆粉) induces apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells via mitochondrion-dependent pathway

• Published in: Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2014-02, Vol.20 (2), p.123-129
• Main Authors: Zhao, Jin-yan, Chen, Zhi-hong, Lin, Wei, Zhong, Xiao-yong, Chen, Xu-zheng, Peng, Jun, Hong, Zhen-feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis - drug effects; Bile; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - pathology; Caspases - metabolism; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Shape - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - pharmacology; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - therapeutic use; Hep G2 Cells; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - drug therapy; Liver Neoplasms - pathology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial - drug effects; Mitochondria - drug effects; Mitochondria - metabolism; Original Article; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Ursidae
• ISSN: 1672-0415; 1993-0402
• DOI: 10.1007/s11655-013-1581-9

Objective To evaluate the effect of Bear Bile Powder(熊胆粉, BBP) on the growth and apoptosis of HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and investigate the possible molecular mechanisms mediating its anti-cancer activity. Methods HepG2 cells were treated with 0.4–1.0 mg/mL of BBP for 24, 48 and 72 h. The viability of HePG2 cells was determined by MTT assay. Cellular morphology was observed via phase-contrast microscopy. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis with Annexin-V/propidium idodide and 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethyl-benzimidazol-carbocyanine iodide (JC-1) staining was performed to determine cell apoptosis and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively. Activation of caspase-9 and -3 was evaluated by a colorimetric assay. Results The treatment with 0.4–1 mg/mL of BBP for 24, 48, or 72 h respectively reduced cell viability significantly by 7%–60%, 20%–90% or 25%–98%, compared with the untreated control cells ( P