Bruceajavanica oil inhibits proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and induces apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT pathway

• Published in: 传统医学研究（英文版） 2021, Vol.6 (2), p.44-55
• Main Authors: Yan-Peng Du, Zhan Ye, Zhao-Jun Zheng, You-Dong Li, Jing Chen, Farah Zaaboul, Yong-Jiang Xu, Yuan-Fa Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2413-3973; 2413-3973
• DOI: 10.12032/TMR20200421174

Background:Brucea javanica oil (BJO), distributed primarily in Southeast Asia, has long been utilized as a therapeutic agent for treating malignancies. However, its anticancer mechanisms are not clearly understood. The objective of this study was to examine the mechanisms underlying its treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods:CCK8 assay was used to evaluate cell viability. Hoechst33342 staining and flow cytometry analyses were used to examine apoptosis. Mito-Tracker Red CMXRos kit was used to measure the membrane potential of mitochondria. ATP assay kit was used to evaluate ATP levels. Western blots were used to assess the presence of AKT, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, Caspase3, Caspase9, Bax, and Bcl-2. Results:BJO inhibited the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. It induced apoptosis, with the percentage of cells treated with 50-150μg/mL BJO increasing from 8.01％to 28.02％in a concentration-dependent manner (P