The Chloroform Extracts of Vietnamese Sophora flavescens Ait. Inhibit the Proliferation of HepG2 Cells through Apoptosis Induction

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effects of Sophora flavescens Ait. root extract on the proliferation of human hepatoma cell line HepG2. HPLC-UV analysis showed that the highest matrine and oxymatrine contents were obtained in the chloroform extract, compared to ethanol extract and ethyl acetate extract. The morphological analysis revealed that the chloroform extract of Sophora flavescens Ait. (SFA-CHCl3 extract) induced alterations of HepG2 cell morphology, resulting in the shrinkage of cells, the formation of debris, and cell detachment. The proliferation of HepG2 cells was inhibited by SFA-CHCl3 extract treatment. Cell cycle analysis exhibited that the cell proportion of the G0/G1 phase of HepG2 cells with SFA-CHCl3 extract treatment was decreased, while the cell proportion of the G2/M phase was increased. Flow cytometry analysis indicated a dramatic increase in the apoptotic percentage of HepG2 cells over the time of SFA-CHCl3 extract treatment. The SFA-CHCl3 extract also caused morphological changes in HepG2 nuclear, including chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. SFA-CHCl3 extract treatment induced the bax up-regulation and the bcl-2 down-regulation in HepG2 cells. These results revealed that SFA-CHCl3 extract could be a potential apoptosis inducer in HepG2 cells.