Evolvulus alsinoides methanolic extract triggers apoptosis in HepG2 cells

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxic potentials of Evolvulus alsinoides in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were treated with methanolic extract of E. alsinoides at 20, 40 and 80 µg/ml for 24 hr and cytotoxic effect was analyzed by MTT assay. The apoptosis rate was investigated by Hoechst 33342 and annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated by rhodamine staining. Also, the expression of catenin – β 1 protein was analyzed by western blotting. E. alsinoides methanolic extract treatment caused significant cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.Dual staining assayconfirmed the presence of early and late apoptotic cells only in extract-treated groups. Plant extract treatment also caused nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation in HepG2 cells. Mitochondrial membrane potential also reduced upon E. alsinoides treatments.This treatment also modulated the catenin – β 1 protein expression. In this study, we demonstrated theproapoptotic potential E. alsinoides in HepG2 cells; thus, this plant may be beneficial in the treatment of liver cancer