Saikosaponin D inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis via C/EBPβ-p53 signal pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

Objective To investigate the anticancer effects and detailed mechanisms of Saikosaponin D(SSD)in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.Methods Cell proliferation and apoptosis were tested by MTT assay and Annexin-V/PI assay respectively.The expressions of CCAAT enhancer binding protein β(C/EBPβ)and p53 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results SSD inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis at the concentration of 5.0 mg/L.SSD significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of C/EBPβ and p53 in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion SSD exerts its anticancer effect by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis partly through C/EBPβ-p53 signal pathway in HepG2 cells.