Apoptotic Effects of Galangin on the Hepatoma Carcinoma Cells HepG-2

To investigate proliferative and apoptotic effects of galangin on hepatoma carcinoma cells, hepatoma carcinoma cells HepG-2 was used as research materials. Different concentrations of galangin affect on the cytotoxicity, morphology, apoptosis rate, cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular calcium homeostasis of HepG-2 were analyzed.Results showed that Cell proliferation was inhibited by 5.4, 10.8 and 21.6 μg/mL galangin, OD values were 1.295, 1.170, 1.043 after treatment for 48 h, respectively. Cells appeared typical apoptosis morphological alterations. Apoptotic cells appeared and the apoptosis rate showed a dosage and duration dependent manner, 48 h apoptotic rates were 23.34%, 33.15%, 44.15%, respectively. Cell cycle was arrested at G1 phase, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential decreased, the relative fluorescence intensity of the mitochondrial membrane potential of blank control cells was 27.32, 5.4, 10.8 and 21.6 μg/mL treatment group were 11.26, 7.23 and 3.17, respectively. Intracellular free Ca²⁺ increased, the relative fluorescence intensity of the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration was 3.82, 5.4, 10.8 and 21.6 μg/mL treatment group were 6.83, 11.63 and 18.73, respectively. Galangin induced apoptosis of HepG-2 by affecting cell cycle progression, reducing mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and disturbing intracellular calcium homeostasis.