Abstract:

Growth inhibition effects of Ganoderma lucidum peptides (GLP) on human hepatoma HepG2 cells were investigated in vitro. The HepG2 cells were incubated with varying concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml) of GLP for 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h. Anti-proliferation activities of GLP were evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. Morphological changes of treated HepG2 cells were observed under visible light microscope and fluorescence microscope, and changes of intracellular Ca2+ concentration were analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The results showed that there is significant inhibition against the growth of HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependant manner. Morphological alterations can be found including cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, nuclear condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies. The concentration of intracellular Ca2+ remarkably increases after treatment of GLP as compared with control by LSCM.

Key words: Ganoderma lucidum peptides (GLP), human hepatoma cells HepG2, apoptosis