Rutaecarpine Induces Apoptosis via a Mitochondrial Membrane-Mediated Pathway in the Human Liver Cancer Cells (HepG2)

Background

The desire for novel drugs and bioactive ingredients to combat serious illnesses like cancer has grown dramatically. A great deal of research is being done to discover and create new medications.

Aim

According to research, cirrhosis brought on by the Hepatitis C and B Viruses (HCV) is thought to be responsible for almost half of occurrences of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). These viruses alter the DNA of the liver cells they infect, turning healthy liver cells into cancerous ones. HCC is a clinical condition where the cancer typically commences in the liver. Human liver cancer HepG2 cells are treated with Rutaecarpine (RUT), a versatile medicinal plant derived from Evodia rutaecarpa.

Materials and Methods

RUT was administered to HepG2 cell lines at different concentrations and the IC50 value was found. The cell line treated with RUT was then stained with the dual dye AO/EtBr to confirm apoptosis. In a similar manner, HepG2 control and RUT-treated cell lines underwent 24 hr of mitochondrial labeling and estimated to have loss in mitochondrial membrane potential which releases proteins that significantly contribute to apoptosis.

Results

Rutaecarpine significantly reduces cell viability by 50% inhibiting cell growth, losing mitochondrial membrane potential and Increased expression of apoptotic indicators, such as caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, were evaluated in RUT treated liver cancer cells using ELISA.

Conclusion

According to the study’s findings, in HepG2, RUT induces apoptosis and via a mechanism mediated by the mitochondrial membrane.