Antitumor effects of two extracts from Oxytropis falcata on hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

AIMS:To investigate the antitumor effects of extracts from Oxytropis falcata on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro and in transplanted murine H22 tumors in vivo.METHODS:Cell proliferation,cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells were determined and tumor growth inhibition in H22 tumors was investigated.Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide(PI) and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining.RESULTS:MTT assay revealed that essential oil and flavonoids of O.falcata(named EOOF and FOF) inhibited proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells in a dose-dependent manner.The IC50 value of EOOF and FOF were 0.115 and 0.097 mg·mL-1,respectively.Cell cycle was arrested at G1 phase,and induction of apoptosis occurred in SMMC-7721 cells when subjected to FOF.Growth inhibition in H22 solid tumors transplanted mice was significantly pronounced after being treated with FOF,and the inhibition ratio were 56.1% and 70.8% at the concentration of 30 and 60 mg·kg-1.CONCLUSION:The results suggest that FOF promotes apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells and inhibits H22 tumor growth,resulting in a potential antitumor effect on hepatic cancer.