Influence of emodin on chemotherapeutic drugs induced apoptosis by elevating ROS of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the influence of emodin on fluorouracil(5-FU) induced apoptosis by elevating reactive oxygen species(ROS)of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2. Methods: The intracellular ROS levels were detected when exposed to various concentrations of emodin for the indicated periods by flow cytometry(FCM).MTT assay and FCM were used to assess cell viability,apoptosis and cell cycle distribution after treatment with 5-FU alone or combined with various concentrations of emodin.Transmission electron microscope was applied to observe the ultrastructural change of cells. Results: Emodin elevated intracellular ROS level in a dose-and time-dependent manner,and intracellular ROS level of HepG2 cell incubated in 4 ?g/ml emodin reached peak in 2-4 h.Emodin combined with 5-FU sensitized HepG2 cell to 5-FU induced apoptosis via generation of ROS in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Enhancement of ROS generation by emodin may be a novel strategy to improve the curative effect of chemotherapeutic drugs.