Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis by Asparagus cochinchinensis in Hep G2 cells

A human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2 cells, is a reliable system for the stud y of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the eff ect of an aqueous extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis(MERRIL) (Liliaceae) roots (ACAE) on ethanol (EtOH)-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells. ACAE ( 1-100 mug/ml) dose-dependently inhibited the EtOH-induced tumor necrosis fa ctor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion. ACAE (1-100 mug/ml) also inhibited the Et OH and TNF-alpha -induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we found that ACAE inh ibited the TNF-alpha -induced apoptosis of Hep G2 cells. These results sugg est that ACAE may prevent the EtOH-induced cytotoxicity through inhibition of the apoptosis of Hep G2 cells. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd.