Toxicological Research

Korean Society of Toxicology & Korea Environmental Mutagen Society (한국독성학회)
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Induction of Apoptosis by Aloe Vera Extract in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells

알로에 베라 추출물에 의한 사람 간암 세포주 HepG2의 Apoptosis 유도

  • Kim, Il-Rang (Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kwon, Hoon-Jeong (Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University)
  • 김일낭 (서울대학교 생활과학대학 식품영양학과) ;
  • 권훈정 (서울대학교 생활과학대학 식품영양학과)
  • Published : 2006.12.30
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Abstract

Ethanolic extract of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) was examined for the cellular toxicity on HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Treatment with Aloe vera extract resulted in DNA fragmentation but not LDH release, suggesting an apoptosis instead of necrosis. Aloe vera induced cytotoxicity was mediated by decrease in ATP levels, whereas GSH depletion, increase in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, or activation of caspase-3/7 could not be observed with statistical significance. No activation of caspase-3/7 suggests the possibility of caspase-independent apoptosis. Taken together, our results show that Aloe vera extract induce HepG2 apoptosis by ATP depletion-related impairment of mitochondria, which is caspase-independent.

Keywords

References

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