Cordycepin induces apoptosis in human liver cancer HepG2 cells through extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways

  • Authors:
    • Le‑Wen Shao
    • Li‑Hua Huang
    • Sheng Yan
    • Jian‑Di Jin
    • Shao‑Yan Ren
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 13, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.4706
  • Pages: 995-1000
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Abstract

Cordycepin, also termed 3'-deoxyadenosine, is a nucleoside analogue from Cordyceps sinensis and has been reported to demonstrate numerous biological and pharmacological properties. Our previous study illustrated that the anti‑tumor effect of cordycepin may be associated with apoptosis. In the present study, the apoptotic effect of cordycepin on HepG2 cells was investigated using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide and propidium iodide staining analysis and flow cytometry. The results showed that cordycepin exhibited the ability to inhibit HepG2 cells in a time‑ and dose‑dependent manner when cells produced typical apoptotic morphological changes, including chromatin condensation, the accumulation of sub‑G1 cells and change mitochondrial permeability. A potential mechanism for cordycepin-induced apoptosis of human liver cancer HepG2 cells may occur through the extrinsic signaling pathway mediated by the transmembrane Fas-associated with death domain protein. Apoptosis was also associated with Bcl-2 family protein regulation, leading to altered mitochondrial membrane permeability and resulting in the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. The activation of the caspase cascade is responsible for the execution of apoptosis. In conclusion, cordycepin‑induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells involved the extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathway and was primarily regulated by the Bcl-2 family proteins.
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August-2016
Volume 12 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Spandidos Publications style
Shao LW, Huang LH, Yan S, Jin JD and Ren SY: Cordycepin induces apoptosis in human liver cancer HepG2 cells through extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways. Oncol Lett 12: 995-1000, 2016.
APA
Shao, L., Huang, L., Yan, S., Jin, J., & Ren, S. (2016). Cordycepin induces apoptosis in human liver cancer HepG2 cells through extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways. Oncology Letters, 12, 995-1000. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.4706
MLA
Shao, L., Huang, L., Yan, S., Jin, J., Ren, S."Cordycepin induces apoptosis in human liver cancer HepG2 cells through extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways". Oncology Letters 12.2 (2016): 995-1000.
Chicago
Shao, L., Huang, L., Yan, S., Jin, J., Ren, S."Cordycepin induces apoptosis in human liver cancer HepG2 cells through extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways". Oncology Letters 12, no. 2 (2016): 995-1000. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.4706