Abstract:

In order to investigate the effect of propolis on cell proliferation and apoptosis, the ethanol extract of propolis was used to treat human liver carcinoma Hep G2 cells. The inhibitory rate of ethanol extract from propolis on the proliferation of human liver carcinoma Hep G2 cells was determined by MTT assay and the apoptosis of human liver carcinoma Hep G2 cells was examined by using inverted fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry analysis. Results indicated that 12.5－200 μg/mL ethanol extract of propolis exhibited an obvious inhibition effect on the proliferation of Hep G2 cells after 24 h and 48 h treatment in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The apoptosis of Hep G2 cells was obviously observed after treatment and apoptosis rate was in the range of 6.36% to 21.9% in a dose-dependent manner. These results confirm that propolis can significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of Hep G2 cells.

Key words: propolis, Hep G2 cell, proliferation, apoptosis