Hydroalcoholic Extract of Psoralea drupacea Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells and Decreases Angiogenesis in Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane

Abstract

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Experimental studies reported that some plants in the genus of Psoralea (Fabaceae family) show anticancer potential. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Psoralea drupacea extract (PDE) on HepG2 liver cancer cells. Methods: The proliferation, cell cycle, and migration of HepG2 cells were determined by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide test, propidium iodide staining, and scratch assay, respectively. The effects of PDE on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and angiogenesis were evaluated by the gelatin zymography method and chicken chorioallantoic membrane model, respectively. Results: The culture of HepG2 cells in the presence of PDE (24 hr and 48 hr) significantly reduced their viability (at a concentration of ≥ 50 µg/mL) and increased the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 stage. PDE also increased the antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities of doxorubicin (3 and 6 µg/mL). The extract significantly decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation in the cells. Moreover, PDE (25 and 50 µg/mL) significantly suppressed the migration ability of HepG2 cells, which was associated with inhibition in the activity of MMP2 and MMP9 (50 µg/mL). Furthermore, treatment with PDE significantly reduced the number and diameter of vessels in the chick chorioallantoic membrane. Conclusion: PDE decreased the survival and cell cycle progression of liver cancer cells through a mechanism other than oxidative stress. This extract also showed an anti-angiogenesis effect and diminished the migration ability of HepG2 cells by inhibiting MMP activity