Published online Jan 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i1.37
Revised: September 20, 2003
Accepted: October 12, 2003
Published online: January 1, 2004
AIM: To study the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) containing 22%-27% flavonoids (ginkgo-flavone glycosides) and 5%-7% terpenoids (ginkgolides and bilobalides) on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.
METHODS: Human HCC cell lines (HepG2 and Hep3B) were incubated with various concentrations (0-1000 mg/L) of EGb 761 solution. After 24 h incubation, cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, respectively. After 48 h incubation, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 protein was measured by Western blotting.
RESULTS: The results showed that EGb 761 (50-1000 mg/L) significantly suppressed cell proliferation and increased LDH release (P < 0.05) in HepG2 and Hep3B cells compared with the control group. The cell proliferation of HepG2 and Hep3B cells treated with EGb 761 (1000 mg/L) was 45% and 39% of the control group (P < 0.05), respectively. LDH release of HepG2 cells without and with EGb 761 (1000 mg/L) treatment was 6.7% and 37.7%, respectively, and that of Hep3B cells without and with EGb 761 (1000 mg/L) treatment was 7.2% and 40.3%, respectively. The expression of PCNA and p53 protein in HepG2 cells treated with EGb 761 (1000 mg/L) was 85% and 174% of the control group, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Ginkgo biloba extract significantly can suppress proliferation and increase cytotoxicity in HepG2 and Hep3B cells. Additionally, Ginkgo biloba extract can decrease PCNA and increase p53 expression in HepG2 cells.