Inhibitory effects of sodium ferulate on human EBL-7404 hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Objective To demonstrate the inhibitory effects of sodium ferulate (SF) medicine on human EBL 7404 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods Human EBL 7404 hepatocellular carcioma cells at a density of 1×10 8 cells/l in 25cm 2 flasks were divided into SF and control groups. Cells of SF group was further incubated in 1640 medium cotaining SF(1g/L) and FCS(50mL/L), while cells of the control group was further incubated in 1640 medium containing FCS(50mL/L). After 48 hours, cells of SF and control groups were collected respectively and stained with propidium iodide (PI). The DNA content in each phase of cells cycle was determined by flow cytometry, The number of cells in each phase (G 0/G1, S and G 2/M) were analyzed by DNA content.Results 1. The percentage of apoptotic cells of SF group was 10.5, that of the control group was 5.9, an up regulation of apoptosis could be observed. 2. The number of cells of SF group in S phase decreased significantly as compared with control group (33.12%, 47.83% respectively), whereas the number of cells of SF group in G 2/M phase increased significantly (27.87%, 15.04%, respectively). Conclusion SF induced apoptosis of human EBL 7404 hepatocellular carcioma cells and inhibited proliferation of these cells obvioulsy. SF could be a potent herb medicine in inhibition growth of liver cancer.