Combined Curcuma longa and Cratoxylum formosum Extracts Possess Anti-liver Cancer and Anti-HBV Activities in HepG2.2.15

Abstract

\n\nCurcuma longa Linn. and Cratoxylum formosum have\nbeen consumed as the Thai traditional medicine for curing liver diseases. However,\nbiological effects from a combination of C. longa and C. formosum have not\nbeen investigated.\n\n\n\nThis study focused to investigate the effects of combined extracts on\nanti-liver cancer activity, anti-Hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity and alteration of\nmiRNA expression, including their effects on p53 and NF-κB protein expressions.\n\n\n\nThe cytotoxicity effects of hot water extract on liver cancer cells were\nexamined by using the MTT assay. Annexin V assay and Western blot analysis\nwere conducted to investigate the effects of plant extracts on the apoptosis pathway\nand cellular protein expressions. Finally, the expression of HBV genes and\nmiRNA expressions were evaluated by using a quantitative real-time PCR.\n\n\n\nThe cell viability assay indicated that 400 μg/mL of combined C. longa\nand C. formosum extracts significantly inhibited different liver cancer cell lines\nwithout affecting a normal cell (Vero). The combined extracts could induce liver\ncancer cell death via the apoptosis pathway by up-regulating p53 expression\nwhile down-regulating NF-κB expression. Moreover, 150 μg/mL of the combined\nextract specifically suppressed HBx gene expression in liver cancer cells\nthat stably express HBV proteins. However, 150 μg/mL of the combined extract\nhad no effect on miR-34a and miR-199a/b expressions.\n\n\n\nThis study firstly reported anti-liver cancer and anti-HBV activities\nof the combined C. longa and C. formosum extracts.\n