RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: A im To investigate the role of qercetin(Que) -induced autophagy in the death of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 cells. METHODS: After treatment with different concentration of Que, the growth inhibition of the SMMC-7721 cells were assessed by MTT colorimetric assay. The fluorescent staining was applied to identify the autophagy after Que treatment. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and Western blot analysis were used to study the autophagic mechanisms involved in death of SMMC-7721 cells. RESULTS: The proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells were significantly inhibited in a dose and time-dependent manner after Que treatment. Autophagy was also induced in MCF-7 cells as detected by MDC staining and Fluorescent staining in the early phase. The autophagy specific inhibitor 3-MA or chloroquine potentiated Que's cytotoxicitiy in SMMC-7721 cells when administered 1h before Que; The expression of cathepsin B increased after Que treatment. CONCLUSION: Que can significantly inhibit the growth of the SMMC-7721 cells by inducing the autophagy, which is a protection mechanism that can reduce the cytotoxicity induced by Que in SMMC-7721 cells. The activation of Cathepsin B is considerable in autophagy process.