Effects of Berberine on the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell lines

Objective:To investigate the effect on growth of hepatoma cell line 3B by berberine and the mechanism.Methods:After being treated with different concentrations of berberine,the Caspase-3 lever of mRNA and protein in HCC cell line were detected by immunohistochemistry method and RT-PCR method respectively;flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy were used to observe apoptosis of Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.Results:Berberine could inhibit the growth of HCC line 3B obviously in a dose-dependent manner.At the same time,the expressions of Caspase-3 protein and mRNA in the every treated group were higher than in the blank control group(P0.01). They were obvious differences between them.Flow cytometry assay showed an arrestment at G2/M phase and sub-G1 cell peak;hepatocellular carcinoma cell cultured with different concentrations of berberine presented apoptosis features under fluorescent microscopy,such as intact cell membrane,chromatin condesation,nucleic fragmentation and apoptotic body formation.Conclusion:Berberine can obviously inhibit the growth of hepatocellular cell line 3B through inducing hepatoma cell.The activation and increase of Caspase-3 is the possible mechanism of apoptosis.