Inhibitory mechanism on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line by tetrandrine

Abstract

AIM: To study the mechanism of tetrandrine (TTD) on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic cell carcinoma (HCC) cell line. METHODS: MTT colorimetry was used to evaluate the influence of TTD on proliferation of cells. Flow cytometry was used to test reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cells. Electrophoresis in 1.5 % agarose gels was used to assess the DNA laddering. RESULTS: Proliferation rate of HCC cell line stimulated by 10 and 20 μmol/L TTD at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h was 90.1±1.0 %, 77.5±2.0 %, 70.2±2.9 % and 56.6±1.6 %, 61.6±2.0 % and 47.2±1.9 %, respectively (F =40.025, P <0.001). O2 - and H2O2. generated by HCC cell lines incubated with 0, 10 and 20 μmol/L TTD for 2 hours were 35 and 24.5 %, 36.6 and 40.5 %, 63.2 and 84.6 %, respectively. Typical DNA ladder was observed after the cell line was incubated in 20 μmol/L TTD for 48 hours.