Modulation of LDL receptor expression and promoter methylation in HepG2 cells treated with a Corylus avellana L. extract

Abstract The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of an ethanolic extract of C. avellana on the molecular pathway(s) regulating the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in HepG2 cells, mainly in terms of epigenetics. We demonstrated that viability, proliferation and cell cycle distribution were not affected up to 72 h of treatment, whereas LDLR expression was stimulated as early as 24 h following administration (P  C. avellana stimulates the LDLR expression in HepG2 cells by epigenetic mechanisms.