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Induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells using 2′,4′-Dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone, a chalcone from buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus

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Abstract

The molecular mechanism to induce apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells was investigated using 2′,4′-Dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone (DMC) isolated from the buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus. Typical morphological changes in apoptotic body formation after DMC treatment were observed using acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) staining. After 48 h of incubation with 0, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 μM of DMC, the percentages of annexin V-FITC-positive/PI negative cells were 1.51, 9.33, 33.84, and 61.32%, respectively. Apoptosis induced by DMC was blocked by z-VAD-fmk, a caspase inhibitor. Analysis of fluorescence intensities of rhodamine 123 in cells showed that DMC induced a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Western blot results showed that DMC decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, suggesting that the Bcl-2 family is involved in control of apoptosis. All of these signal transduction pathways are involved in initiating apoptosis. DMC is a potential anticancer agent that deserves further exploration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China

    Chun-Lin Ye, Xuan-Gan Liu, Qi Huang & Xian-Liang Zhao

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  1. Chun-Lin Ye
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  2. Xuan-Gan Liu
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Correspondence to Chun-Lin Ye.

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Ye, CL., Liu, XG., Huang, Q. et al. Induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells using 2′,4′-Dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone, a chalcone from buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus . Food Sci Biotechnol 22, 1–7 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-013-0232-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-013-0232-4

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