Study On Ursolic Acid Inducing Apoptosis Of Hepatocellular Cancer Cell HepG2 And Its Mechanism

Objective: To investigate anti-proliferation and apoptosis effects of Ursolic Acid on hepatocarcinoma Cell HepG2 and explore the mechanismMethods: By cells culturing in vitro, anti -proliferation effects of UA were assessed with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. After treatment with UA , Morphology of cells was observed under light microscope, fluorescence microscope and transmission electron microscopy respectively. Agarose gel electrophoresis analysis revealed DNA cleavages. The flow cytometry was used to detect apoptotic rates and cell cycle distribution. The expressions of Bcl-2 and survivin protein were determined by the immunocytochemical method.Results: MTT showed that anti-proliferation of UA on hepatocarcinoma Cells, the inhibitory effects were obvious, in a concentration dependent manner. after exposure to drugs24h,48h(A0.141±0.019→0.042±0.017,0.130±0.012→0.035±0.014 P<0.01) Microscope showed that cell presented some morphologic features of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, nuclear condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies. Agarose gel electrophoresis analysis showed DNA cleavages(DNA ladder).The flow cytometry showed that after exposure to drugs, cell-cycle was blocked at G₀/G₁ phase. The immunocytochemical method showed thatthe levels of Bcl-2 and survivin protein were regulated after exposure to UA, but downregulation of Bcl² (60.16+2. 0^33. 74+2. 30 P<0.01) and Survivin (48.8+2.66 -?30.8+2.16 P<0. 05) protein expression.Conclusion: Ursolic Acid inhibits proliferationg of hepatocarcinoma Cell HepG2 and induces apoptosis .which may be associates with downregulating of the expression of Bcl-2> survivinn protein. As traditional medicine, UA is likely to become a new agent which is used to be cancer therapy , it has a promising prospect in the treatment of hepatocarcinoma cancer through apoptosis...