Induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells by solamargine from Solanum nigrum L

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Solanum nigrum L. (SNL), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb endowed with diuretic, antipyretic and hepatoprotective effects, has been used as a major ingredient of folk prescriptions for Anticancer treatment in China.

Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of solamargine (SM), a major steroidal alkaloid glycoside purified from SNL, on human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells and investigate the possible mechanism of SM.

Materials and methods: The MTT assay was used to evaluate the IC(50) on tumor cell lines. The effect on morphology was observed with a LIGHT or fluorescence microscopy. The rate of Apoptosis and the cell cycle were measured using flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of Caspase-3 protein was measured by colorimetric assay.

Results: SM significantly inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells and induced cell Apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that SM caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Moreover, SM could up-regulate the expression of Caspase-3.

Conclusions: This study indicated that SM exerted potential Anticancer activity on SMMC-7721 cells in vitro through the activation of Caspase-3 and the regulation of the cell cycle progression to induce Apoptosis and inhibit hepatoma cells proliferation.