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Quercetin Induces Antiproliferative Activity Against Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells by Suppressing
Ra Ham Lee1, Jin Hyoung Cho1, Young-Joo Jeon1
1Department of Oral Pharmacology, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, BK21 plus, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 651-756.
Abstract:
Preclinical Research Quercetin, found in red onions and red apple skin can induce apoptosis insome malignant cells. However, the apoptotic effect of quercetin in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells via regulation of specificity protein 1 (Sp1) has not been studied. Here, we demonstrated that quercetin decreased cell growth and induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells via suppression of Sp1 using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt (MTS) assay, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, Annexin V, and Western blot analysis, an effect that was dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment of HepG2 cells with quercetin reduced cell growth and induced apoptosis, followed by regulation of Sp1 and Sp1 regulatory protein. Taken together, the results suggest that quercetin can induce apoptotic cell death by regulating cell cycle and suppressing antiapoptotic proteins. Therefore, quercetin may be useful for cancer prevention. Drug Dev Res 76 : 9-16, 2015.
Insights
Quercetin, a compound found in red onions, induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in liver cancer cells (HepG2) by suppressing specificity protein 1 (Sp1). This suggests quercetin
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Quercetin, a flavonoid abundant in red onions and apple skins, exhibits potential anticancer properties by inducing apoptosis in various malignant cells.
- The specific mechanism by which quercetin affects hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, particularly its interaction with specificity protein 1 (Sp1), remains largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the apoptotic effect of quercetin on hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.
- To elucidate the role of specificity protein 1 (Sp1) in mediating quercetin-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells.
Main Methods:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells were treated with varying concentrations and durations of quercetin.
- Cell viability was assessed using the MTS assay.
- Apoptosis was quantified via DAPI staining and Annexin V analysis.
- Western blot analysis was employed to examine the expression of Sp1 and related proteins.
Main Results:
- Quercetin significantly decreased HepG2 cell growth and induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- Quercetin treatment led to the suppression of Sp1 expression and its regulatory proteins.
- Apoptosis induction was associated with cell cycle regulation and suppression of antiapoptotic proteins.
Conclusions:
- Quercetin effectively induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells through the suppression of Sp1.
- The findings suggest that quercetin modulates cell cycle progression and downregulates antiapoptotic proteins, contributing to cancer cell death.
- Quercetin demonstrates potential as a chemopreventive agent for liver cancer.
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