Pennogenyl saponins induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pennogenyl saponins, the characterized components of Rhizoma Paridis, have been reported to have anticancer activity through induction of apoptosis or anti-metastasis in cultured cells or animal models. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anticancer properties of four pennogenyl saponins (PS1-PS4) on a panel of human cancer and normal cell lines, and explore the potential mechanisms underlying the selective anticancer effects of the steroidal saponins in cancer cells. Materials and methods: Differences in the anticancer activity of pennogenyl saponins were examined by MTT assay in human cancer cell lines (HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells, UACC-257 melanoma cells, MCF-7 breast and PC-3 prostate cancer cells) and normal human cell lines (L-02 liver cells and HEK293 kidney cells). Flow cytometry analysis, JC-1 staining and western blot analysis were applied to detect the effects of anticancer pennogenyl saponins on apoptosis, cell cycle, and expression and/or activation of main effectors involved in the potential signaling pathways. Results: Among the tested four saponins, only PSI and PS2 selectively inhibited cell growth in HepG2, MCF-7 and PC-3 cells. Moreover, PSI and PS2 could significantly induce apoptosis and cell cycle G2/M arrest in HepG2 cells, which were at least associated with activation of mitochondrial caspase-dependent and -independent apoptotic cascades, inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Conclusions: PSI and PS2 had potent and selective anticancer activity to breast, liver and prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, the anticancer effects of PSI and PS2 were associated with induction of apoptosis and blockage of cell cycle progression through multiple targets in HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that PSI and PS2 can be considered as potential agents for the treatment of some cancers such as hepatoma. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.