OBJECTIVE: To research the anti-cancer mechanism
of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Fanbaicao
(Herba Potentillae Discoloris) oil in the human hepatoma
cell line HepG2.METHODS: Gas chromatography was used to analyze
the components of Fanbaicao (Herba Potentillae
Discoloris). We tested the inhibitory effect of Fanbaicao
(Herba Potentillae Discoloris) oil on the human
hepatoma cell line HepG2 in vitro using 3-(4,
5-Dimet hylt hiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dip henyltetrazolium
bromide assays. Fluorescence activating cell sorter
analysis was used to examine the levels of apoptosis,
and western blot and immunofluorescence
were used to detect the expression of p21, p-p21
and CDK4 proteins.RESULTS: Fanbaicao (Herba Potentillae Discoloris)
oil contains 45 ingredients, and L-ascorbic acid 2,
6-bispalmitate was the main component and accounted
for 44.96% of total drive-off peak area.
Other components included (Z)-14-met hyl-8-exadecenal-
acetal (8.56%), phytol (7.74%) and lauric acid
(6.31% ). Fanbaicao (Herba Potentillae Discoloris)
oil treatment reduced the proliferation of HepG2
cells and the half growth inhibition concentration
(IC50) was 2.03 mg/mL. Furthermore, we also observed
significantly increased HepG2 cell apoptosis
in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Fanbaicao
(Herba Potentillae Discoloris) oil significantly increased
the expression of p21 and p-p21 and significantly
decreased the expression of CDK4 in HepG2
cells compared with controls (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Our results showed that Fanbaicao
(Herba Potentillae Discoloris) oil has anti-cancer activities
in HepG2 cells, which is probably related to
the upregulation of p21 and p-p21 and downregulation
of CDK4 expression.
Apoptosis Cell Cycle