Chrysin Derivative Inhibits Growth of Liver Cancer Cells

A chemically modified version of the flavonoid chrysin (5,7-dihydroxy flavone) has been shown to significantly inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells in culture while not affecting the growth of normal liver cells.

Chrysin has been reported previously to have many different biologic activities and acts as an antioxidant, antiviral, anti-diabetogenic, and antidepressant. However, chrysin is not used clinically because of its limited absorption by the digestive system and its rapid in vivo glycosylation.

In the current study, investigators from the Hunan Normal University (China) tested a chrysin derivative, 5-allyl-7-gen-difluoromethylenechrysin (ADFMChR), on normal (L-02) and liver cancer (HepG2) cells growing in culture. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using propidium iodide fluorescence staining. The effects of ADFMChR on the proxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), NF-kappaB, Bcl-2, and Bax protein expression of HepG2 cells were analyzed by Western blotting.

The investigators reported in the May 14, 2009, online edition of the World Journal of Gastroenterology that ADFMChR significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner with little effect on growth of L-02 cells.

The investigators suggested that this work provides a molecular basis for the clinically observed cancer-preventive effects of ADFMChR and establishes guidelines for continued research on the pharmaceutical prevention and cure of human liver carcinoma.

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Hunan Normal University