OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Bisnaphthalimide (C8) on the proliferation and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells.

METHODSThe effects of C8 on the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells were evaluated by MTT. Cell cycle and apoptotic cell percentage were studied by flow cytometry. The protein of Bcl-2 was detected by Western blot. The intra-cellular protein of Bcl-2 was detected by flow cytometry. The proteins of caspase9 and caspase3 were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSC8 inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells. The IC50 of C8 on SMMC-7721 cells was 15 micromol/L. C8 initiated apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells. After SMMC-7721 cells were exposed to C8 in concentrations of 10, 15, 20 micromol/L, the apoptosis rates were 16.8%, 29.4% and 35.8%, respectively, significantly higher than those of the controls (P less than 0.01). Flow cytometry and Western blot analysis showed that Bcl-2 protein level was inhibited after treatment with C8. The ELISA analysis showed that caspase9 and caspase3 were activated in the SMMC-7721 cells after the C8 treatment.

CONCLUSIONC8 could induce apoptosis of human liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells. C8 might be a potential efficient anticancer drug.