Effects of matrine on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2

Objective To study the effects of matrine on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 and probe into the mechanisms of its anti-hepatocarcinoma effects.Methods The HepG2 cells were treated with different concentration of matrine (0.0125, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2,0.4, 0.8, 1.6 g/L) for different time (24, 48, 72 h), then investigate the effects of matrine on cell proliferation by MTT, and the effects on cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry. Results Matrine can inhibit the HepG2 cells proliferation at the concentration of 0.1 g/L and above in a concentration-dependent and timedependent manner(P ＜0.01). The result of FCM showed that the cell cycle of HepG2 was retarded at G1 phase treated with matrine for 48 h at the concentration of 0.8 g/L [(75.3±6.5)% vs (64.1±6.3)%, P ＜0.05], whereas was retarded at G2 phase treated with matrine for 48 h at the concentration of 1.6 g/L [(29.1 ±9.1)% vs (11.6±2.1)%, P ＜0.01]. The apoptosis of HepG2 cells can be induced by matrine for 12, 24 h or 48 h at the concentration of 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 g/L. Conclusion Matrine can inhibit cell proliferation, interfere cell cycle and inducing apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells, which may be involved in the mechanisms of matrine's antihepatocarcinoma effects. Key words: Liver neoplasms, experimental;  Matrine;  Cell proliferation;  Cell cycle;  Apoptosis