Abstract:

Objective: To examine the inhibitory effect of different concentrations of laminarin on proliferation of human
hepatoma carcinoma Bel-7402 cells. Methods: Bel-7402 cells were cultured with different concentrations of laminarin for
48 h. The inhibitory effect of laminarin on the proliferation of Bel-7402 cells was evaluated by MTT (methyl thiazolyl
tetrazolium) assay. Cell apoptosis was detected using Annexin V-FITC Kit. The activity of Caspase-3 was examined by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of Caspase-3 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was detected
by Western blotting. Results: Laminarin inhibited the proliferation of Bel-7402 cells in a concentration-dependent manner
with an optimal concentration of 30 mg/mL. The increased concentration of laminarin could accelerate the apoptosis rate of
cells (P < 0. 05). Caspase-3 activity significantly increased in the treatment groups when compared with the control group
(P < 0.05). The expression of Caspase-3 increased significantly and AFP expression decreased significantly in the treatment
groups. Conclusion: Laminarin can inhibit the proliferation of Bel-7402 cells, and the mechanism may be associated with
cell apoptosis caused by the activation of Caspase-3, and reduced expression of AFP.

Key words: laminarin, cell apoptosis, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Caspase-3