Study on the anti-hepatocarcinoma effect and molecular mechanism of Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids.

abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance The traditional use of Prunella vulgaris was for the treatment of liver cancer in a few areas of China. At present, it is mainly used in the treatment of thyroid cancer, throat cancer, and lymphosarcoma among others. However there are few current scientific reports of its use in the treatment of liver cancer. We are committed to studying the effective treatment of liver cancer in order to provide an experimental basis for the application of Prunella vulgaris related preparations in the treatment of liver cancer. Aim of the study To study the anti-hepatocarcinoma effect of Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids and explore its possible molecular mechanism. Methods The effects of Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids on the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells were observed by RTCA analysis system. The tumor volume and weight were observed in H22 tumor bearing mice. ELISA was used to observe the apoptosis and autophagy protein expression in tumor tissue homogenate, along with the serum immune factor. Tumor tissue apoptosis was observed by TUNEL method. Beclin-1 and LC3-I/LC3-II expression were observed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results The total flavonoids of Prunella vulgaris inhibited the activity of SMMC-7721 cells, and reduced the tumor volume and weight in H22 tumor bearing mice. HE staining showed that the Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids inhibited liver metastasis of H22 tumor. The Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids significantly increased the expression of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ immune factors in the serum of tumor bearing mice, and the contents of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased in tumor tissue homogenate. TUNEL showed that the ratio of positive cells in the intervention group were significantly higher than that in the control group. The p62 content in tumor tissue homogenate was increased and ATG5 decreased after intervention, Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed Beclin-1 expression decreased and LC3-I/LC3-II increased in the tumor tissue. Conclusion Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids have obvious anti-hepatocarcinoma effect, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting autophagy and promoting apoptosis of liver cancer cells.