TTF1-induced apoptosis of HepG-2 cells through a mitochondrial pathway.

The Chinese medicinal herb Sorbaria sorbifolia, native to Changbai Mountain, can induce apoptosis in HepG-2 cells. We studied the mechanism by which 5, 2', 4'-trihydroxy-6,7, 5'-trimethoxyflavone (TTF1) isolated from acetic ether extracts of Sorbaria sorbifolia induces apoptosis in HepG-2 cells. The results showed that TTF1 both inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that TTF1 treatment led to decreased transcription and protein expression of bcl-2 and an increase in bax, Cyt-c, caspase-3 and caspase-9. These results together suggest that TTF1 may induce apoptosis of HepG-2 cells through a mitochondrial pathway.