Inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line by tanshinone IIA

Objective To investigate the effect of tanshinone ⅡA on growth and apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line BEL 7402 in vitro . Methods The human hepatoma cell line BEL 7402 was treated with tanshinone ⅡA at various concentrations for 72 h. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay, apoptosis related alterations in morphology ascertained by cytochemical staining(Hoechst 33258) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Apoptotic rate was quantified by flow cytometry (FCM). Results Tanshinone ⅡA inhibited the growth of hepatoma cells in a dose dependent manner, with IC 50 values of 6.28 μg/ml. After treatment with 1～10 μg/ml tanshinone ⅡA for 72 h, BEL 7402 cell apoptosis with nuclear chromatin concentration and fragmentation as well as cell shrinkage and the formation of apoptotic bodies were observed. FCM analysis showed hypodiploid peaks on histogram and the apoptotic rates at 5 μg/ml concentration for 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h were (2.32±0.16)%, (3.01±0.35)%, (3.87± 0.43 )%, (6.73±0.58)% and (20.85±1.74)% respectively, which were all significantly higher than that of control group (1.07±0.13)%. Conclusion Tanshinone ⅡA can induce the apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line BEL 7402 in vitro , which may be related to the mechanism of growth inhibition of the human hepatoma cell line.