In vitro and in silico approaches to unveil the mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic effect of juncunol on human hepatocarcinoma cells

Juncunol reduced HepG2 cells proliferation through the induction of apoptotic cellular death, in a concentration-dependent manner. Apoptosis induction seems to be related with a decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential but not with ROS production. Juncunol had no haemolytic activity and may act as a DNA intercalator. Our data suggests juncunol as a suitable candidate for more detailed studies, including in vivo experiments, in order to completely characterize its mode of action.