RÉSUMÉ
Objective:To find out the role of JNK/SAPK signaling-transduction pathway in the effect of elemene against hepatocarcinoma, offering the clue to ilustrate the molecular mechanisms of antitumor effects of elemene. Methods: The detection of the distribution of elemene in Hca-F cells was detected by gas chomatography and apoptotic changes in elemene treated. SMMC7721 cells were examined by TEM. After elemene treatment, the activation of JNK/SAPK in HepG2 cellls and the DAXX gene expression in SMMC7721 cells were detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR respectively. Results: Gas chomatography showed that elemene was detected at 8. 42 minute. The SMMMC7721 cells treated by elemene for 3 hours began to show typical apoptotic changes . The JNK/SAPK activity in HepG2 cell treated with heat shock was the highest of all groups and the group treated with elemene was the next and the control group is the lowest one. There was no DAXX gene expression in SMMC7721 cells treated with elemene. Conclusion: Elemene can diffuse into cells. Tumor cell apoptosis treated with elemene may be induced by JNK/SAPK activating and DAXX signal pathway may not play key role in JNK/SAPK activation induced by elemene.