Anticancer Effects of the Chinese Medicine Matrine on Murine Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Matrine is a component of the traditional Chinese medical herb Sophora flavescens Ait, which is widely used to treat diseases such as viral hepatitis, cardiac arrhythmia and skin inflammations. As indicated by previous reports, the molecular mechanism of matrine's anti-cancer effect has been poorly clarified. In this study, we used both in vitro and in vivo models to investigate matrine's antitumor effect and its possible molecular mechanisms. Murine hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cells were cultured in the presence of matrine at various concentrations (0.2 2.0 mg/mL). A close-dependent anti proliferation effect was observed. The 50% inhibitory concentration IC50) was 0.6 mg/mL. Antiproliferation effects of rnatrine were associated with an increase in cells arrested in the G, phase of the cell cycle. Morphological changes, flow cytometric analysis and expression of the proapototic prorein Bax indicated that this anticancer effect was mediated via apoptosis. In vivo antitumor efficacy was evaluated following s.c. inoculation of H22 cells in BALB/c mice. Matrine administrated i.p. resulted in strong in vivo anticancer activity. Our results showed that seven doses of rnatrine at 50mg/kg/dose inhibited 60.7% of tumor growth. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis and histoirnmunochernical staining for BcI-2 and Bax proteins also indicated induction of apoptosis in tumor tissues by matrine. Taken together, our results demonstrate that rnatrine possesses strong antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis are the likely mechanisms responsible for matrine's antitumor activities.