Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.1K

Silymarin suppresses HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cell progression through downregulation of Slit-2/Robo-1 pathway

Nuriye Ezgi Bektur Aykanat1, Sedat Kacar2, Serife Karakaya2

  • 1Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey. nebektur@ogu.edu.tr.

Pharmacological Reports : PR
|February 5, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Silymarin, derived from milk thistle, demonstrated anti-cancer effects on liver cancer cells. It induced apoptosis and affected metastasis-related proteins, suggesting therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
  • Silybum marianum (milk thistle) contains silymarin, traditionally used for liver ailments.
  • Silymarin exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate silymarin's effects on HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
  • To analyze silymarin's impact on the Slit-2/Robo-1 signaling pathway.
  • To evaluate silymarin's influence on CXCR-4 expression, a key metastasis marker.

Main Methods:

  • HepG2 cells were treated with varying silymarin doses.
  • Hematoxylin and eosin staining assessed cellular effects.
  • Immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry analyzed Slit-2/Robo-1 and CXCR4 protein levels and localization.

Main Results:

  • Silymarin induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.
  • Silymarin decreased CXCR-4 protein levels dose-dependently.
  • Silymarin modulated Slit-2/Robo-1 protein levels, decreasing them at low doses and increasing them at high doses.

Conclusions:

  • Silymarin exhibits dose-dependent anti-carcinogenic and anti-metastatic effects on HepG2 cells.
  • The Slit-2/Robo-1 pathway is implicated in silymarin's anti-cancer activity.
  • Silymarin promotes apoptosis in liver cancer cells via modulation of key signaling pathways.
Keywords:
HepG2 cellsHepatocarcinomaSilymarinSlit/Robo pathway

More Related Videos

Establishment of Hepatocarcinoma in BALB/c-nu Mice and Investigation of the Therapeutic Effect of the Sanleng Jiashen Formula09:03

Establishment of Hepatocarcinoma in BALB/c-nu Mice and Investigation of the Therapeutic Effect of the Sanleng Jiashen Formula

Published on: January 26, 2024

613
An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis06:38

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis

Published on: September 12, 2019

9.3K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.6K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
23.8K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
7.2K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.5K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
5.1K