In VitroandIn VivoAntitumor Effects of n-Butanol Extracts ofPterocephalus hookerion Hep3B Cancer Cell

Abstract

Pterocephalus hookeriis a widely applied Tibetan medicinal prescription for treatment of diseases such as flu, rheumatoid arthritis, and enteritis in China. It has been reported thatPterocephalus hookerihas anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. However, the antitumor activity ofPterocephalus hookeriremains unknown. In the present study, we demonstrate that n-butanol extracts ofPterocephalus hookeri(YSC-ZDC) has a strong antitumor activity against hepatoma carcinoma cellin vitroandin vivo. YSC-ZDC inhibited proliferation of all cancer cell lines and significantly inhibited Hep3B cells proliferation in a dose- and time-dependant manner. Transmission electron microscopy, hoechst 33258 staining, and flow cytometry analysis revealed that YSC-ZDC induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells. YSC-ZDC treatment dramatically inhibited PDK1 and Akt phosphorylation in Hep3B cells. Moreover, YSC-ZDC increased Bax expression and inhibited Bcl-2 expression. In addition, YSC-ZDC inhibited growth hepatoma xenograftsin vivowith no effect on body weight and spleen index. Consistent with resultsin vitro, YSC-ZDC increased Bax expression and inhibited Bcl-2 expression in tumor tissue. Taken together, this study shows YSC-ZDC with an antitumor activity bothin vitroandin vivo. Its mechanism underlying is related to blocking of the Akt pathway and regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins expression.