Heat shock protein 27 mediates the effect of 1,3,5-trihydroxy-13,13-dimethyl-2H-pyran [7,6-b] xanthone on mitochondrial apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

► We identify that TDP is an anti-cancer drug candidate for HCC. ► We demonstrate that Hsp27 is one molecular target of TDP. ► Increasing Hsp27 expression will rescue TDP-induced apoptosis. ► TDP induced apoptosis through a caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway.