9-顺-维甲酸对肺癌细胞周期及周期因子表达的影响

目的探讨9-顺-维甲酸对肺癌细胞周期及周期因子cyclin D1和cdk4表达的影响。方法用9-顺-维甲酸处理细胞24 h后,在观察细胞生长、流式细胞仪分析细胞周期的基础上,用RT-PCR方法分析细胞周期因子cyclin D1和cdk4表达的变化。结果9-顺-维甲酸作用于肺癌细胞24 h以后,细胞增殖减慢,G₀/G₁期细胞明显增多,S期细胞减少;PG,SPC-A1和L78细胞的cyclin D1表达下降显著;PG,A549和L78细胞的cdk4表达下降显著。结论9-顺-维甲酸可以显著地抑制肺癌细胞增殖和肺癌细胞周期因子cyclin D1和cdk4的表达。     

Delphinidin inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and cell cycle progression through a transient activation of ERK-1/-2

Epidemiological studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables might reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and protect against cancer by mechanisms that have not been elucidated yet. This study was aimed to define the effect of delphinidin, a vasoactive polyphenol belonging to the class of anthocyanin, on bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) proliferation. Delphinidin inhibited serum- and vascular endothelium growth factor-induced BAECs proliferation. This antiproliferative effect of delphinidin, is triggered by ERK-1/-2 activation, independent of nitric oxide pathway and is correlated with suppression of cell progression by blocking the cell cycle in G(0)/G(1) phase. Furthermore, suppression of cell cycle progression is associated with the modulation of the mitogenic signaling transduction cascade. This includes over-expression of caveolin-1 and p21(WAF1/Cip1) and down-expression of Ras and cyclin D1. In conclusion, the antiproliferative effect of delphinidin may be of importance in preventing both plaque development and stability in atherosclerosis and tumor dissemination in cancer.     

Cytotoxicity of diacetoxyscirpenol is associated with apoptosis by activation of caspase-8 and interruption of cell cycle progression by down-regulation of cdk4 and cyclin B1 in human Jurkat T cells

To understand the mechanism underlying T-cell toxicity of diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) from Fusarium sambucinum, its apoptogenic as well as growth retardation activity was investigated in human Jurkat T cells. Exposure to DAS (0.01-0.15 microM) caused apoptotic DNA fragmentation along with caspase-8 activation, Bid cleavage, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and PARP degradation, without any alteration in the levels of Fas or FasL. Under these conditions, necrosis was not accompanied. The cytotoxicity of DAS was not blocked by the anti-Fas neutralizing antibody ZB-4. Although the DAS-induced apoptotic events were completely prevented by overexpression of Bcl-xL, the cells overexpressing Bcl-xL were unable to divide in the presence of DAS, resulting from the failure of cell cycle progression possibly due to down-regulation in the protein levels of cdk4 and cyclin B1. The DAS-mediated apoptosis and activation of caspase-8, -9, and -3 were abrogated by either pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) or caspase-8 inhibitor (z-IETD-fmk). While the DAS-mediated apoptosis and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 were slightly suppressed by the mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitor (CsA), both caspase-8 activation and Bid cleavage were not affected by CsA. The activated normal peripheral T cells possessed a similar susceptibility to the cytotoxicity of DAS. These results demonstrate that the T-cell toxicity of DAS is attributable to not only apoptosis initiated by caspase-8 activation and subsequent mitochondrion-dependent or -independent activation of caspase cascades, which can be regulated by Bcl-xL, but also interruption of cell cycle progression caused by down-regulation of cdk4 and cyclin B1 proteins.     

Fangchinoline inhibits rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and cell cycle progression through inhibition of ERK1/2 activation and c-fos expression

Fangchinoline (FAN; a plant alkaloid isolated from Stephania tetrandrae) is a nonspecific Ca(2+) channel blocker. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of FAN on the growth factor-induced proliferation of primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). FAN significantly inhibited both 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS)- and 50ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation, [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. In accordance with these findings, FAN revealed blocking of the FBS-inducible progression through G(0)/G(1) to S phase of the cell cycle in synchronized cells and caused a 62% decrease in the early elevation of c-fos expression induced after 5% FBS addition. Furthermore, significant antiproliferative activity of FAN is observed at concentrations below those required to achieve significant inhibition of Ca(2+) channels by FAN. These results suggest that FAN reduced both FBS- and PDGF-BB-induced RASMCs proliferation by perturbing cell cycle progression. This antiproliferative effect of FAN is dependent on the MAP kinase pathway, but cannot be limited to its Ca(2+) modulation.     

Crocetin suppresses angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth-muscle cell proliferation through inhibition of ERK1/2 activation and cell-cycle progression

Excessive proliferation of vascular smooth cells (VSMCs) plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis, and inhibition of VSMCs proliferation has been proved to be beneficial to this disease. In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative effect of crocetin, a carotinoid (Fig. 1, >98%, HPLC) with potent antioxidant capacity, on bovine aortic VSMCs (BASMCs), and the possible mechanisms involved. The results indicate that crocetin potently inhibited AngII-induced BASMC proliferation, as evaluated by MTT assay and [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay. Flow cytometry analysis showed that crocetin markedly blocked AngII-induced cell-cycle progression by arresting the cells in the G0/G1 phase. Consistently, crocetin markedly suppressed AngII-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and its downstream effector c-fos expression, which is a prerequisite for cell-cycle progression. In addition, crocetin significantly decreased AngII-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase. Taken together, these results indicate that crocetin was capable of inhibiting BASMC proliferation by blocking cell-cycle progression, which might be associated with the suppression of ERK1/2 activation and c-fos expression. These results might be related, at least partly, to the antioxidant property of crocetin.     

Short-term toxicity of aristolochic acid, aristolochic acid-I and aristolochic acid-II in rats.

We compared the short-term toxicity of toxic components of aristolochic acid in rats. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups and treated orally every 3-days with 10 mg/kg each of aristolochic acid, aristolochic acid-I and aristolochic acid-II for 19 days. After treatment, the relative ratio of liver and kidney weight to body weight, the concentrations of RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit in the blood, the levels of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in the plasma, and the levels of urinary urea nitrogen and creatinine in the urine were significantly increased. Body weight of rats and the levels of Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) in the urine were significantly decreased, especially for groups treated with aristolochic acid and aristolochic acid-II. Pathological examination of liver and kidney also showed cell enlargement and lesions, especially for groups treated with aristolochic acid and aristolochic acid-II. The aristolochic acid exhibited significant toxicity, and the short-term toxicity of aristolochic acid-II and aristolochic acid was similar to each other. Renal but not hepatic failure induced by aristolochic acid could be prevented by pentoxifylline.     

Inhibition of the cyclin D1/E2F pathway by PCA-4230, a potent repressor of cellular proliferation

1. Tight control of cellular growth is essential to ensure normal tissue patterning and prevent pathological responses. Excessive vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is associated with the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and restenosis post-angioplasty. Thus, drug targeting of pathological VSMC growth may be a suitable therapeutic intervention in vascular proliferative diseases. 2. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying VSMC growth arrest induced by the pharmacological agent PCA-4230. Addition of PCA-4230 to cultured VSMCs blocked the induction of cyclin D1 and cyclin A expression normally seen in serum-restimulated cells. Moreover, PCA-4230 inhibited cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) activity and abrogated hyperphosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (Rb) gene product. Similarly, PCA-4230-dependent growth arrest of transformed cell lines correlated with reduced level of cyclin D1 protein and inhibition of CDK2 activity. Consistent with these findings, PCA-4230 repressed serum-inducible cyclin A promoter activity, and overexpression of either cyclin D1 or E2F1 efficiently circumvented this inhibitory effect. Importantly, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of E2F1 restored S-phase entry in PCA-4230-treated VSMCs, demonstrating that PCA-4230 represses cyclin A gene expression and VSMC growth via inhibition of the cyclin D1/E2F pathway. 3. Because of its ability to inhibit the growth of human VSMCs and transformed cell lines, future studies are warranted to assess whether PCA-4230 may be a suitable therapeutic intervention for the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.     

Inhibition of MG-63 cell cycle progression by synthetic vitamin D3 analogs mediated by p27, Cdk2, cyclin E,and the retinoblastoma protein

Progression through eukaryotic cell division cycle is regulated by synergistic activities of both positive and negative regulatory factors. The active form of vitamin D₃ (1α,25(OH)₂D₃, 1,25D) and a number of its synthetic analogs have been shown to arrest cells in the G₁ phase of the cell cycle. In the present study, 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ and the analogs KH1060, EB1089, and CB1093 were used to study the mechanism of the cell cycle arrest and to compare the effectiveness of these compounds in human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. The 20-epi analogs KH1060 and CB1093, as well as the 20-normal analog EB1089, were found to be more potent than 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ in inhibiting cell proliferation and arresting the MG-63 cells in the G₁ phase. These analogs were more active than 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ in increasing the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p27 protein levels (approximately 2.3-2.5-fold compared to 1α,25(OH)₂D₃) by both increasing its formation and decreasing its degradation rate. The increased p27 formation was accompanied by stabilization of binding of nuclear proteins to the Sp1+NF-Y responsive promoter region of the p27 gene. The increase in p27 protein levels and the simultaneous decrease in cyclin E protein levels was accompanied by decreased Cdk2 kinase activity, retinoblastoma (Rb) protein hypophosphorylation and, finally, cell cycle arrest in the G₁ phase. In summary, the analogs KH1060, EB1089, and CB1093 keep Rb protein in its growth-suppressing, hypophosphorylated form and prevent cell cycle progression through the restriction point. Therefore, these synthetic vitamin D₃ analogs may be potential candidates for treating diseases, where cell cycle regulation is needed.     

Endothelin—1 promoted proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell through pathway of extracellular signal—regulated kinase and cyclin D1

目的:探讨内皮素-1是否通过细胞周期蛋白质D1与细胞外调节蛋白激酶通路促进人脐动脉平滑肌细胞增殖。方法:采用MTT法观察ET-1和PD98059对人脐动脉平滑肌细胞生长的作用;[~3H]TdR法观察对细胞DNA合成的作用;流式细胞仪法观察对细胞增殖周期的影响;蛋白质印迹法观察对细胞外调节蛋白激酶和细胞周期蛋白质D1表达的影响。结果:首先,同没有ET-1组和PD98059组比较,ET-1促进平滑肌细胞增殖(P<0.05)。PD98059抑制ET-1诱导的血管平滑肌细胞增殖。第二,与没有ET-1组比较,ET-1促进平滑肌细胞DNA合成(P<0.05)。第三,ET-1促进平滑肌细胞增殖周期从G_0/G_1期向S期的转变,与没有ET-1组比较,G_0/G_1期细胞百分比明显减少,S期细胞百分比明显增加(P<0.05)。第四,ET-1增加细胞外信号调节性激酶的磷酸化水平和细胞周期蛋白质D1的蛋白表达,ERK的抑制剂可以抑制细胞外信号调节性激酶的磷酸化水平和细胞周期蛋白质D1的蛋白表达,与没有ET-1组比较,磷酸化-ERK和细胞周期蛋白质D1表达明显增强,对非磷酸化ERK表达没有影响。结论:内皮素-1可以通过细胞周期调节素D1与细胞外信号调节性激酶通路促进平滑肌细胞增殖。     

二烯丙基二硫下调cyclin D1和CDK4的表达诱导人鼻咽癌CNE2细胞G_1期阻滞

目的研究二烯丙基二硫(DADS)对人鼻咽癌CNE2细胞的影响及其分子机制。方法采用MTT法检测DADS对CNE2细胞增殖抑制作用;流式细胞术分析DADS对CNE2细胞周期分布的影响;运用RT-PCR和Western blot方法分析DADS作用CNE2细胞后,cyclin D1和CDK4的表达变化。结果 MTT结果显示,不同浓度DADS(90、140、240、400μmol·L-1)处理CNE2细胞48h后,生长抑制率分别为4.0%、13.8%、25.8%、51.2%;流式细胞术分析显示,DADS阻滞CNE2细胞于G1期,并呈浓度依赖性;RT-PCR和Western blot结果表明,细胞周期调控基因cyclinD1、CDK4表达下调。结论 DADS对CNE2细胞的增殖抑制作用与其阻滞细胞G1期有关,并且可能是通过抑制cyclin D1、CDK4的表达使CNE2细胞阻滞于G1期。     

Sesquiterpene lactone suppresses vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via inhibition of cell cycle progression

Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration are involved in restenosis following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) as well as in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of the sesquiterpene 3-oxo-5alphaH,8betaH-eudesma-1,4(15),7(11)-trien-8,12-olide (1) on rat VSMC proliferation and migration. VSMCs were isolated from rat aorta, and then the effect of 1 on cell proliferation and migration was examined using methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and chemotaxis assays, respectively. Compound 1 had a potent inhibitory effect on fetal calf serum-induced VSMC proliferation. This effect correlated with reduced expression of cyclin D(1). In addition, 1 also inhibited platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced migration of VSMCs. These results indicate that 1 is a promising candidate for additional biological evaluation to further define its potential as an inhibitory modulator of VSMC responses that contribute to restenosis following PTCA and to the development and progression of atherosclerosis.     

2-Acetylaminofluorene inhibits the activation of immune responses by blocking cell cycle progression at G1 phase

 2-Acetylaminofluorene (AAF) inhibited in a dose dependent manner mouse spleen cell blastogene sis in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/Ionomycin (Io) activation, the T-cell lectin, concanavalin A (Con A), and following stimulation by alloantigens as measured by the mixed lymphocyte response (MLR). AAF also markedly suppressed the T-cell dependent antibody forming cell (AFC) response to sRBC. AAF was most inhibitory on both the sRBC IgM AFC response and Con A stimulated proliferation when added during the first 24 h following initiation of culture. Direct addition of high concentrations of AAF (100 μM) to spleen cell cultures at 48 h following Con A stimulation produced a very modest inhibition (<20%) of T-cell proliferation as compared to 90% when added at the time cultures were initiated. Similarly, AAF (75 and 100 μM) produced a greater than 80% inhibition of the in vitro AFC response when spleen cells were sensitized with antigen in presence of AAF. In contrast, no inhibition of the IgM AFC response was produced when AAF (75 μM) was added to spleen cell cultures 48 or 72 h after antigen sensitization. Con A-triggered cell-cycle progression was attenuated at the G₁ stage by the addition of AAF (50 and 100 μM) with no inhibition of S to G₂/M phase transition. These results suggest that the mechanism of AAF-mediated immune suppression is through a blockade of cell cycle progression from G₁ to S phase. Received: 5 July 1994/Accepted: 19 October 1994     

Gaseous nitrogen oxides stimulate cell cycle progression by retinoblastoma phosphorylation via activation of cyclins/Cdks [correction].

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are important indoor and outdoor air pollutants. Many studies have indicated that NOx gas causes lung tissue damage by its oxidation properties and its free radicals. In a previous study we demonstrated that NOx gas induced proliferation of human lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells. In this study we show that NOx gas stimulates MRC-5 cell proliferation by retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation via activation of cyclin-cell division protein kinase (cdk) complexes [correction]. Western blot and immunoprecipitation data showed that NOx gas increased the expressions of cyclinA/cdk2, cyclinD1/cdk4, and cyclinE/cdk2 complexes in the cells at 9 h after treatment. The levels of phospho-Rb were also increased and cdk inhibitors (CKIs) p27 and p16 were apparently decreased. These data suggested that NOx gas stimulates cell-cycle progression by Rb phosphorylation via activation of cyclin-cdk complexes and inhibition of CKIs. In conclusion, the NOx-gas that induced lung fibroblast cell proliferation by stimulation of cell-cycle progression may contribute to lung fibrosis by NOx pollutants.     

Bioactivation versus detoxication of the urothelial carcinogen aristolochic acid I by human cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1A2

Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) is associated with human nephropathy and urothelial cancer. Individual susceptibility to AA-induced disease likely reflects individual differences in enzymes that metabolize AA. Herein, we evaluated AAI metabolism by human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1A2 in two CYP1A-humanized mouse lines that carry functional human CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 genes in the absence of the mouse Cyp1a1/1a2 orthologs. Human and mouse hepatic microsomes and human CYPs were also studied. Human CYP1A1 and 1A2 were found to be principally responsible for reductive activation of AAI to form AAI-DNA adducts and for oxidative detoxication to 8-hydroxyaristolochic acid (AAIa), both in the intact mouse and in microsomes. Overall, AAI-DNA adduct levels were higher in CYP1A-humanized mice relative to wild-type mice, indicating that expression of human CYP1A1 and 1A2 in mice leads to higher AAI bioactivation than in mice containing the mouse CYP1A1 and 1A2 orthologs. Furthermore, an exclusive role of human CYP1A1 and 1A2 in AAI oxidation to AAIa was observed in human liver microsomes under the aerobic (i.e., oxidative) conditions. Because CYP1A2 levels in human liver are at least 100-fold greater than those of CYP1A1 and there exists a > 60-fold genetic variation in CYP1A2 levels in human populations, the role of CYP1A2 in AAI metabolism is clinically relevant. The results suggest that, in addition to CYP1A1 and 1A2 expression levels, in vivo oxygen concentration in specific tissues might affect the balance between AAI nitroreduction and demethylation, which in turn would influence tissue-specific toxicity or carcinogenicity.     

胃癌组织中细胞周期素D1的表达与细胞周期的关系

目的 研究胃癌组织中细胞周期素D1( cyclin Dl)的表达,并分析其与细胞周期的关系.方法 采用Western blot和流式细胞术检测33例胃癌组织及其相应正常胃黏膜周期素D1表达和细胞周期分布.结果 胃癌组织周期素D1阳性率63.6％,高于正常胃黏膜的21.1％(P＜0.01).周期素D1阳性组胃癌G1/G0期细胞比例为(42.2±1.5)％,显著低于周期素D1阴性组的(64.3±4.8)％(P＜0.01);周期素D1阳性组胃癌S期细胞比例为(55.1±1.8)％,显著高于周期素D1阴性组的(34.5±4.9)％(P＜0.01).结论 胃癌细胞高表达细胞周期素D1预示癌细胞具有高增殖活性.周期素D1在胃癌发生、发展过程中可能起着重要的作用.     

Induction of G1 cell cycle arrest and cyclin D1 down-regulation in response to pericarp extract of Baneh in human breast cancer T47D cells

Background and the purpose of the study

Natural products from plants have an important role in the development and production of new drugs mainly for cancer therapy. More recently, we have shown that the pericarp methanolic extract of Pistacia atlantica sub kurdica (with local name of Baneh) as a rich source of active biological components with high antioxidant and radical scavenging activities, has ability to cease proliferation and induce apoptosis in T47D human breast cancer cells. The present study aimed to clarify whether Baneh extract able to alter cell cycle progression of T47D cells or not.

Methods

In order to study the possible effect of Baneh extract on cell cycle of T47D cells, we evaluated cell cycle distribution and its regulatory proteins by flow cytometry and western blot analysis respectively.

Results

Baneh extract induced G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest in conjunction with a marked decrease in expression of cyclin D1 and cdk4 that was strongly dependent on time of exposure. In parallel, Dox-treated T47D cells in early time points were accumulated on S phase, but after 48 h cell cycle progression was inhibited on G₂/M. Dox promoted striking accumulation of cyclin B1 rapidly and enhanced cyclin A abundance.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results establish that the antitumor activity of the pericarp extract of Baneh partly is mediated via cell cycle arrest and downregulation of cyclin D1 and cdk4 expression. These findings warrant further evaluation regarding the mechanism(s) of action of this promising anticancer agent.     

Liriodenine inhibits the proliferation of human hepatoma cell lines by blocking cell cycle progression and nitric oxide-mediated activation of p53 expression.

Liriodenine was isolated from the leaves of Michelia compressa. This study was designed to assess cell cycle arrest, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and p53 expression in liriodenine-treated human hepatoma cell lines, including wild-type p53 (Hep G2 and SK-Hep-1). As evidenced by flowcytometric studies, liriodenine induced cell cycle G(1) arrest and inhibited DNA synthesis in Hep G2 and SK-Hep-1 cell lines. The p53, iNOS expression and intracellular NO level were markedly increased in Hep G2 cells after liriodenine treatment. A NO inhibitor, carboxy-PTIO inhibited the p53 expression induced by liriodenine. In addition, liriodenine could not induce obvious cytotoxicity in normal human IMR-90 cell line. These results demonstrate that NO production and p53 expression are critical factors in liriodenine-induced growth inhibition in human wild-type p53 hepatoma cells.     

Tubulozole-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in human colon cancer cells through formation of microtubule polymerization mediated by ERK1/2 and Chk1 kinase activation.

Our studies demonstrated that human colon cancer cells (COLO 205), with higher expression level of check point kinase 1 (Chk1), were more sensitive to microtubule damage agent Tubulozole (TUBU) induced G2/M phase arrest than normal human colon epithelial (CRL) cells. TUBU (10 microM, for 3h) treatment resulted in rapid and sustained phosphorylation of Cdc25C (Ser-216) leading to increased 14-3-3beta binding. This resulted in increased nuclear translocation. In addition, TUBU induced phosphorylation of the Cdc25C (Ser-216) and Bad (Ser-155) proteins were blocked by Chk1 SiRNA-transfection. Surprisingly, cellular apotosis was observed in cells treated with TUBU after Chk1 SiRNA inhibition. We further demonstrated that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation by TUBU was needed for Chk1 kinase activation and microtubule formation as shown by the attenuation of these responses by the ERK1/2 specific inhibitor PD98059. However, TUBU induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was not blocked in the Chk1 SiRNA-transfected COLO 205 cells. These results imply that ERK1/2 mediated Chk1 activation may be play an important role in determining TUBU induced G2/M arrest or apoptosis in COLO 205 cells.     

Acacetin inhibits the proliferation of Hep G2 by blocking cell cycle progression and inducing apoptosis

Flavonoids are a broadly distributed class of plant pigments, universally present in vascular plants and responsible for much of the coloring in nature. They are strong antioxidants that occur naturally in foods and can inhibit carcinogenesis in rodents. In this study, we examined acacetin (5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone), a flavonoid compound, for its effect on proliferation in a human liver cancer cell line, Hep G2. The results showed that acacetin inhibited the proliferation of Hep G2 by inducing apoptosis and blocking cell cycle progression in the G1 phase. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that acacetin significantly increased the expression of p53 and p21/WAF1 protein, contributing to cell cycle arrest. An enhancement in Fas/APO-1 and its two form ligands, membrane-bound Fas ligand and soluble Fas ligand, as well as Bax protein, was responsible for the apoptotic effect induced by acacetin. Taken together, our study suggests that the induction of p53 and activity of the Fas/Fas ligand apoptotic system may participate in the antiproliferative activity of acacetin in Hep G2 cells.