Induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells by solamargine from Solanum nigrum L.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Solanum nigrum L. (SNL), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb endowed with diuretic, antipyretic and hepatoprotective effects, has been used as a major ingredient of folk prescriptions for anticancer treatment in China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of solamargine (SM), a major steroidal alkaloid glycoside purified from SNL, on human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells and investigate the possible mechanism of SM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MTT assay was used to evaluate the IC(50) on tumor cell lines. The effect on morphology was observed with a light or fluorescence microscopy. The rate of apoptosis and the cell cycle were measured using flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of caspase-3 protein was measured by colorimetric assay.

RESULTS

SM significantly inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells and induced cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that SM caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Moreover, SM could up-regulate the expression of caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that SM exerted potential anticancer activity on SMMC-7721 cells in vitro through the activation of caspase-3 and the regulation of the cell cycle progression to induce apoptosis and inhibit hepatoma cells proliferation.