Waltonitone induces human hepatocellular carcinoma cells apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Waltonitone, a new ursane-type pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Gentian waltonii Burkill significantly inhibited human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells growth. Apoptosis induced by waltonitone was characterized by AO/EB staining and flow cytometric analysis. Apoptosis microarray assay results showed BCL-2 family genes might especially play an important role in waltonitone-induced apoptosis. RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis showed that waltonitone could induce tumor cell apoptosis via both death receptor and mitochondria pathways. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effect of waltonitone was examined in vivo using BEL-7402 tumor cells xenografted into athymic mice model. In summary, these studies demonstrated that waltonitone might inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cells growth and induce apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.