Radix bupleuri containing compound (KY88 liver-livo) induces apoptosis and production of interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in liver cancer cells in vitro.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is an important health problem in Asia. A blend of herbal extracts containing radix bupleuri (KY88) was tested for its effects on liver cancer cells. A hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HB8064) was cultured with methanol extract of KY88. We were able to produce a dose-dependent inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. At IC50 and IC100, KY88 induces a DNA ladder pattern, indicating the presence of apoptosis. We also checked the changes of the levels of interleukin (IL)-2, -4 and -6, interferon (INF)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by ELISA kits. After 24 hours of culture, there was activation of IL-2 and -4 and TNF-alpha. However, significant changes were observed only for IL-4 and TNF-alpha. Therefore, we concluded that KY88 is able to induce apoptosis, which may be regulated through changes in IL-4 and TNF-alpha.