In vitro anti-proliferative effect of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, SK-HEP-1 cells

The root of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS is an important Chinese crude drug used in many traditional prescriptions. 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-g lucose (PGG), a major component of this crude drug, was found to exhibit in vitro growth-inhibiting effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line , SK-HEP-1 cells. The growth-inhibitory effect was related to the ability o f PGG not only to cause a G(0)/G(1) phase arrest but also to suppress the a ctivation of nuclear factor-kappa B. Neither apoptosis nor necrosis was obs erved in the cells treated with PGG. These findings suggest that PGG could be a candidate for developing a low-toxic anticancer agent. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.