Zerumbone induced apoptosis in liver cancer cells via modulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio
2007

Zerumbone Induces Cell Death in Liver Cancer Cells

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sharifah Sakinah SA, Tri Handayani S, Azimahtol Hawariah LP

Primary Institution: National University of Malaysia (UKM)

Hypothesis

Does zerumbone induce apoptosis in liver cancer cells through modulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio?

Conclusion

Zerumbone induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells by regulating the Bax/Bcl-2 protein ratio independently of p53.

Supporting Evidence

  • Zerumbone showed an IC50 of 3.45 ± 0.026 μg/ml against HepG2 cells.
  • The treatment with zerumbone increased apoptosis in HepG2 cells significantly over time.
  • Zerumbone up-regulated the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and down-regulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.

Takeaway

Zerumbone, a compound from a ginger plant, helps kill liver cancer cells by making them die in a controlled way, like a programmed cell death.

Methodology

The study used HepG2 liver cancer cells to assess the effects of zerumbone on cell viability and apoptosis through various assays including IC50 determination and Western blotting.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1475-2867-7-4

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