Epigallocatechin‑3‑gallate induces the apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma LM6 cells but not non‑cancerous liver cells

Zhang,Yunjuan; Duan,Wei; Owusu,Lawrence; Wu,Dachang; Xin,Yi

doi:10.3892/ijmm.2014.1988

Epigallocatechin‑3‑gallate induces the apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma LM6 cells but not non‑cancerous liver cells

Authors:
- Yunjuan Zhang
- Wei Duan
- Lawrence Owusu
- Dachang Wu
- Yi Xin
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Affiliations: Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria 3216, Australia
Published online on: October 31, 2014 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2014.1988
Pages: 117-124

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Abstract

Epigallocatechin‑3‑gallate (EGCG) is a constituent of green tea and has been associated with anticancer activity. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of EGCG on human hepatocellular cancer cells was examined by cell viability assay, in vitro apoptosis assay and cell cycle analysis. In addition, gene expression was measured to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of action of EGCG by mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) determination and western blot analysis. We demonstrated that EGCG induced apoptosis, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest of HCCLM6 cells but not that of non-cancerous liver cells (HL-7702). The EGCG-induced apoptosis of HCCLM6 cells was associated with a significant decrease in Bcl-2 and NF-κB expression. In addition, the expression of Bax, p53, caspase-9 and caspase-3 increased, and cytochrome c was released. These results suggest that EGCG inhibits the progression of cancer through cytocidal activity and that it is a potential therapeutic compound for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

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