Periplocin of cortex periplocae inhibits Stat3 signaling and induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of periplocin of cortex periplocae (CPP) on Stat3 signaling and its probable molecular mechanism of inducing apoptosis and anti-tumor activity. Methods Cell proliferation was detected by MTT. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were investigated by flow cytometry. Expression of Stat3 protein in SMMC-7721 cells was analyzed by Western blot. Mcl-1, Survivin and XIAP mRNA expressions were measured by RT-PCR. Results CPP inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells significantly, induced their apoptosis and arrested their cell cycle at G2/M phase. Decreased expression of Stat3 protein in the cell nucleus was observed after CPP treatment, but no significant changes were found in cytoplasma. Mcl-1, Survivin and XIAP mRNA expression levels were decreased in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion CPP inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by inhibiting Stat3 signal transduction in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721.