Allicin in vetro inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells

Objective To study the effects of allicin in vetro inhibiting growth and inducing apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells.Methods HepG2 cells of log phase growth were incubated in vitro with allicin in different concentrations(20,40,60 mg/L) and for different times(4,8,16 h).Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay and the growth inhibition rate was calculated.Cell morphological changes at 8 h were observed with Hoechest fluorescent staining.Mitochondrial transmembrane potential treated with allicin 40 mg/L for 4 h was detected by mitochondrial apoptosis detection kit.Cytochrome C released from mitochondria was examined by immunohistochemistry method.Results Compared to negative control,the proliferation of HepG2 cells was inhibited by allicin in the concentration-and time-dependent manner(P0.01).The apoptosis of HepG2 cells treated with allicin was seen.Conclusion Allicin has significant effects of inhibiting growth and inducing appoptosis of HepG2 cells,which may be related to increased release of cytochrome C from mitochondria and decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential.