Antitumor Activity of Leaves from Potentilla discolor on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line HepG-2

AimPotentilla discolor Bunge (PD), Chinese traditional medicinal herb, was investigated for its antitumor activity and induction of apoptosis in vitro, using human HepG-2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.MethodsThe viability of HepG-2 cells was evaluated by MTT, after incubation with ethanolic extract of PD (5-200 mg(L−1). And HepG-2 cells were manipulated by fluorescent microscopic analysis stained with DNA-specific fluorochrome 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride and performed DNA fragmentation analysis. And caspase-3 activity and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage were detected by western blot.ResultsPD decreased the cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner and exhibited typical characteristics of apoptosis. Active form of caspase-3 and cleaved PARP were found in concentration-dependent manner.ConclusionThese results indicated that PD may represent a potential new source of anticancer candidate.