Antitumor Effects of Dihydromyricetin on the Proliferation, Migration and Apoptosis of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Hep3B Cells

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a serious public health problem worldwide and has high morbidity and mortality. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) exhibits anti-tumor effect on a variety of malignancies, but its antitumor function of DHM in HCC has been unclear. The aim of this study was designed to investigate the antitumor effect of DHM on cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatoma carcinoma cells. Methods: Cultured Hep3B cells were treated with different DHM concentrations, follow by cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration and invasion were examined by CCK-8, colony formation assay, wound healing, Transwell and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis-associated genes and Bcl-2/Caspase-9 signaling pathway were validated by RT-PCR and western blot. Results: DHM markedly suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion and facilitated apoptosis in Hep3B cells. Mechanistically, DHM significantly downregulated the Bcl-2 expression, and upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of Cleaved-Caspase 3, Cleaved- Caspase 9, Bak, Bax and Bad. Furthermore, in the nude mice tumorigenic model, DHM treatment greatly decreased the weight of the HCC tumors compared to the weights in control and NDP group. Conclusions: DHM could suppress cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and facilitated apoptosis in Hep3B cells. These findings could provide novel insights to develop potential therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of HCC.

Baitouweng decoction suppresses growth of esophageal carcinoma cells through miR-495-3p/BUB1/STAT3 axis

“…Baitouweng decoction is an important prescription for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases[ 17 , 18 ]. We found that Baitouweng decoction inhibits the proliferation of EC cells[ 19 , 20 ]. However, there is a lack of research on the mechanism of action of this prescription for EC.…”