Apigenin Sensitizes Huh-7 Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to TRAIL-induced Apoptosis. 2012

Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Womens University, Seoul 140-742, Republic of Korea.

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising agent for management of cancer because of its selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells. However, some cancer cells have resistance to TRAIL. Accordingly, novel treatment strategies are required to overcome TRAIL resistance. Here, we examined the synergistic apoptotic effect of apigenin in combination with TRAIL in Huh-7 cells. We found that combined treatment of TRAIL and apigenin markedly inhibited Huh-7 cell growth compared to either agent alone by inducing apoptosis. Combined treatment with apigenin and TRAIL induced chromatin condensation and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In addition, enhanced apoptosis by TRAIL/apigenin combination was quantified by annexin V/PI flow cytometry analysis. Western blot analysis suggested that apigenin sensitizes cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by activating both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathway-related caspases. The augmented apoptotic effect by TRAIL/apigenin combination was accompanied by triggering mitochondria-dependent signaling pathway, as indicated by Bax/Bcl-2 ratio up-regulation. Our results demonstrate that combination of TRAIL and apigenin facilitates apoptosis in Huh-7 cells.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
January 2017, OncoTargets and therapy,
Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
January 2012, Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology,
Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
August 2006, International journal of molecular medicine,
Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
January 2021, Frontiers in pharmacology,
Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
June 2015, Cell biochemistry and biophysics,
Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
July 2017, Oncology letters,
Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
August 2015, Toxicology and applied pharmacology,
Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
April 2010, Journal of neuro-oncology,
Eun Young Kim, and An Keun Kim
December 2010, Journal of medicinal food,
Copied contents to your clipboard!