[Cryptotanshinone May Induce Ferroptosis of Human Liver Cancer HepG2 Cells]

Objective To observe the effect of cryptotanshinone on the ferroptosis of human liver cancer HepG2 cells. Methods The viability of the HepG2 cells cultured in vitro was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8),and the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC₅₀)was calculated.The cell morphology was observed using an inverted microscope.The reactive oxygen species(ROS)level was detected with the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)probe.The glutathione(GSH)assay kit was used to determine the GSH level.Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of cystine/glutamate antiporter system light chain(xCT)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),two marker proteins in ferroptosis.Additionally,the cell viability,ROS level,GSH level,and the expression levels of xCT and GPX4 were detected for the cells treated with the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostain-1(Fer-1),the iron chelator deferoxamine(DFO),and the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine(NAC).Results Cryptotanshinone significantly inhibited the cell viability of HepG2 cells with an IC₅₀ of 93.73 μmol/L,and caused the morphological changes and death of the cells.It could significantly induce ROS accumulation,reduce GSH level,and down-regulate the expression of xCT and GPX4 in HepG2 cells.Fer-1,DFO,and NAC can remedy the cryptotanshinone-caused decrease in the cell viability of HepG2 cells.Fer-1 could inhibit cryptotanshinone-induced ROS accumulation,restore GSH level,and recover the expression of xCT and GPX4. Conclusion Cryptotanshinone may increase the accumulation of ROS by inhibiting the expression of xCT and GPX4 to induce the ferroptosis of HepG2 cells.