Activation of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma by the Chinese traditional medicine Hu Qisan

Zeng,Xiangjun; Li,Xiangli; Xue,Xiaowei; Shi,Zheng-Ming; Feng,Ping; Wang,Pengyan; Wang,Xue-Jiang

doi:10.3892/etm.2012.862

Activation of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma by the Chinese traditional medicine Hu Qisan

Authors:
- Xiangjun Zeng
- Xiangli Li
- Xiaowei Xue
- Zheng-Ming Shi
- Ping Feng
- Pengyan Wang
- Xue-Jiang Wang
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Affiliations: Pathophysiological Department, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P.R. China, Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, P.R. China
Published online on: December 18, 2012 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2012.862
Pages: 695-700

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Abstract

To investigate the effects of Hu Qisan (HQS) on apoptosis in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a Solt-Farber two-step test model of precancerous liver lesions was established in rats using a previously described method. HQS (4 and 8 g/kg body weight/day) was administered for 4 weeks, after the majority of the liver was removed. HepG2 cells were used to detect the HtrA serine peptidase 2 (HtrA2/Omi) release from mitochondria and caspase-3 activation promoted by HQS. Exposure of the rats to DEN for 6 weeks induced hepatic carcinogenesis. HQS (4 and 8 g/kg body weight/day) markedly induced cell apoptosis. The protective effects against hepatic carcinogenesis were mediated by multiple mechanisms, including the reduction of DEN-induced γ-GT-positive cell proliferation, mitochondrial morphological changes, HtrA2/Omi release from mitochondria and the activation of caspase-3. In conclusion, HQS is a potential anti-carcinogenic agent that may induce apoptosis by reducing the inhibitory effects of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) on caspase-3. Thus, HQS should be further explored as a potentially promising new therapeutic agent against human hepatic cancer.

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