Basic research Suppression of human hepatocellular cancer cell proliferation by Brucea javanica oil-loaded liposomes via induction of apoptosis

Abstract

IntroductionHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of malignancy with high incidence and poor prognosis. Brucea javanica is extracted from Simaroubaceae plants. It is found to have low toxicity but high anti-cancer efficiency. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Brucea javanica oil-loaded liposomes (BJOL) on human hepatocellular cancer cell line HepG2. The related molecular mechanisms were determined.Material and methodsMorphologic changes of HepG2 cells were observed by transmission electron microscope after treatment with BJOL in vitro. Cell proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay after cell treatment with different doses of BJOL. Flow cytometry was performed. Nude mice were divided into 4 groups randomly and treated with different doses of BJOL. The apoptosis hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by TUNEL.ResultsProliferation of HepG2 was inhibited significantly by BJOL in a dose-dependent manner (2.5 mg/l or 5 mg/l). Compared with the animal models treated with the negative control, the animal models in the BJOL group had higher weight and lower metastasis rates (p < 0.01). The rate of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue of the BJOL groups was increased when compared with the control group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsBrucea javanica oil-loaded liposomes inhibits proliferation of HepG2. The effect appears to be dose-dependent, possibly by inducing apoptosis of cancer cells.

Sorafenib combined with hepatectomy in patients with intermediate-stage and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Currently, sorafenib, which blocks tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis, is the only treatment recommended for advanced HCC on the basis of 2 phase III clinical trials [ 19 , 20 ], although another substance, Brucea javanica extract, has been found to inhibit cell proliferation and increase apoptosis in animal and cellular studies of HCC [ 30 ]. It prolongs survival in advanced HCC patients by about 3 months [ 19 , 20 ] and is equally effective in younger and older (> 75 years) patients [ 31 ].…”

Current Status of Herbal Medicines in Chronic Liver Disease Therapy: The Biological Effects, Molecular Targets and Future Prospects

“…Compared with the control group, the in vivo treatment group of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr extracts had lower metastasis rate and higher body weight. The Brucea javanica (L.) Merr extracts induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue in a dose-dependent manner [ 176 ].…”

Evaluation of efficacy and safety for Brucea javanica oil emulsion in the control of the malignant pleural effusions via thoracic perfusion

“…Previous studies show that the BJOE combination therapy could promote liver cancer cell apoptosis by regulating the expression of soluble Fas/soluble Fas ligand [ 28 ] and BJOE also induces apoptosis in the colon cancer cells [ 28 ]. Another study finds that BJO-loaded liposomes inhibits the proliferation of hepatocellular cancer HepG2 cells, which appears be dose-dependent, possibly by inducing apoptosis of cancer cells [ 31 ]. However, in our study, the BJOE combination seemed to have the same DCR rate (odds ratio = 1.04, p = 0.663) compared with chemotherapeutic agents alone.…”