Astragaloside IV induces apoptosis, G1-phase arrest and inhibits anti-apoptotic signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background/Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the liver and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Although multiple chemotherapies options are available for HCC, chemoinduced toxicity is inevitable during clinical treatment. Therefore, identifying possible adjuvant agents with both liver-protective and antitumor effects is critical. Herbal medicines have chemopreventive and anti-HCC effect, such as Juzen taiho-to and Sho-saiko-to. Astragaloside IV is a compound extracted from the Chinese medical herb Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. with liver protection potential. However, whether astragaloside IV may also possess tumor-inhibitory capability and its underlying mechanism is remaining unknown. Materials and Methods: Viability analysis, cell-cycle analysis, apoptosis analysis, western blotting analysis and invasion trans-well assay were performed to identify tumor-inhibitory potential of astragaloside IV on HCC cells (SK-Hep1 and Hep3B cells). Results: We found that astragaloside IV may induce cytotoxicity and extrinsic/intrinsic apoptosis effect, but also trigger G1 arrest in HCC cells. The expression of antiapoptotic proteins of HCC were all reduced by astragaloside IV. Additionally, astragaloside IV also suppressed HCC cell invasion ability. Conclusion: Astragaloside IV effectively suppressed HCC cell proliferation, invasion and antiapoptosis in vitro.