Effect of Tibetan medicine Oxytropis falcata on cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in SMMC-7721 cells / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To probe the influence of Oxytropis falcata on apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in SMMC-7721 cells. METHODS: Annexin V-FITC/ PI assay was applied to detect apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells after being treated with TFOF (total flavonoids of O. falcata). Changes of Bcl-2 and Bax expression were investigated by Western blot. RESULTS: Cell apoptosis was induced significantly in SMMC-7721 cells when subjected to TFOF. Western blot showed that Bcl-2 expression was downregulated. Although Bax expression was also downregulated slightly comparing with that of control, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax decreased significantly after TFOF treatment. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that TFOF of O. falcata may be a pro-apoptotic agent for hepatic cancer cells via its modulation of Bcl-2/Bax balance.