The effect of Cressa Cretica hydroalcoholic extract on apoptosis and the expression of Bcl2, Bax and P53 genes in hepatoma cell line HepG2

Objective Liver cancer is common worldwide and its occurrence is increasing globally; the most prevalent type is hepatocellular carcinoma. Cressa cretica is a halophyte plant that contains flavonoids, which are antibacterial, antioxidant agents. We investigated the effects of C. cretica extract on apoptosis and expression of Bcl2, Bax and P53 genes in the hepatoma cell line, HepG2. Methods HepG2 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium, then incubated in various concentrations of hydroalcoholic extract of C. cretica. Cell proliferation was investigated using MTT assay and apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis- related genes were determined by real-time PCR. Results Proliferation of HepG2 cells treated with different concentrations of C. cretica were diminished significantly in a dose-dependent pattern. The concentration of C. cretica required for 50% cell viability was 2300 μg/ml. Expression of P53 increased significantly in the treatment groups compared to control group. Bcl2 gene expression was decreased significantly compared to the control group, while the Bax gene was overexpressed in the extract treated groups. Conclusion C. cretica is able to effect on the expression of apoptosis-related genes; therefore, it could play a role in treatment of cancer.