ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect and underlying mechanisms. METHODS: In PLC/PRF/5 and HepG2, after treatment with Grifola frondosa extract, MTT method, chemical method, JC-1 staining and Western Blot were applied to determine cell viability, caspase 3 activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, and the phosphorylation of Akt/GSK3β. The anti-tumor activity of Grifola frondosa extract was further confirmed in PLC/PRL/5-xengrafted mice model. RESULTS: Grifola frondosa extract significantly reduced cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, the expression of Bcl-2 and the phosphorylation of Akt/GSK3β, and enhanced LDH release, caspase 3 activity and the expression of Bax in both PLC/PRF/5 and HepG2 cells. 12-day Grifola frondosa extract treatment significantly inhibited the PLC/PRF/5-xenografted tumor growth without influence the body weight of mouse. CONCLUSION: All these data indicate that Grifola frondosa extract-mediated anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects are related to its modulation of the activations of Akt/GSK3β and mitochondrial pathway.