Matairesinol induced antiproliferative effects via mitochondrial dysfunction in HepG2 cells

Year 2024, Volume: 28 Issue: 6, 2001 - 2007, 28.06.2025

Ege Arzuk Ali Ergüç Serhat Demir Nehir Ünver Somer , İclal Tan , Ecrin Atış

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most severe and life-threatening types of cancer. The conventional treatment of hepatoma has significant challenges due to the adverse effects of chemotherapy, leading to treatment failure and decreased survival. Therefore, developing and investigating novel and safer anticancer drugs and establishing more effective therapeutic regimens is a crucial field of research. The Haplophyllum megalanthum-derived compound matairesinol has demonstrated antiproliferative and antitumor activity against various types of cancer, including pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancer. However, the potential effects of matairesinol on liver cancer, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with its anticancer activity, have yet to be thoroughly elucidated. In the current study, we demonstrated that matairesinol inhibited the viability of human hepatoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, at IC50 and higher doses, matairesinol induced oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels, two evidence of mitochondrial damage. Moreover, matairesinol exposure led to significant caspase-3 activation, a hallmark of apoptosis. These results indicate that mitochondrial damage and caspase-3 activation may contribute to the cytotoxic effect of matairesinol on liver cancer cells.

Keywords

Matairesinol , liver cancer , mitochondria , caspase-3 , anticancer effect

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