Inhibitory effect of interleukin-1 alpha-induced apoptosis by Polygala tenuifolia in Hep G2 cells

A human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2 cells are reliable for the study of alco hol-induced hepatotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia (WILLDENOW) (Polygalaceae) roots (P TAE) on ethanol (EtOH)-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells. PTAE (0.01-1 m u g/ml) dose-dependently inhibited the EtOH-induced interluekin-1 alpha (IL -1 alpha) secretion. PTAE (0.01-1 mu g/ml) also inhibited the EtOH- and IL- 1 alpha-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we found that PTAE inhibited the IL-1 alpha-induced apoptosis of Hep G2 cells. These results suggest that P TAE may prevent the EtOH-induced cytotoxicity through inhibition of the apo ptosis of Hep G2 cells.