Antiproliferation and apoptosis induction of phytic acid in hepatocellular carcinoma (HEPG₂) cell lines

Abstract

Phytic acid is a naturally occurring polyphosphorylated carbohydrate, present ubiquitous in plants and animals. It is not only a natural antioxidant, but may also be the precursor/storage of intracellular inositol phosphates, important for various cellular functions and potential as anticancer compound. A prominent anticancer action of phytic acid has been demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro in a variety of tumor types, possibly through inhibition of tumor cell growth and differentiation. In this study, the growth inhibitory effect of phytic acid extracted from rice bran on hepatocellular cell lines (HEPG₂), cell cycle modulation and apoptosis induction were undertaken. Phytic acid prove to induce growth inhibition and differentiation in HepG₂ in a dose and time-dependent manner with IC₅₀ value of 17.0 μg/ml. Analysis of flow cytometry was performed for the analysis of cell cycle and apoptosis. Treatment of phytic acid against HepG₂ also resulted in cell cycle arrest in HEPG₂ cell at G₂/M phase cell cycle arrest. Besides, Annexin V-assay and propidium iodide confirmed the apoptosis occurred early and late in the cell line. In conclusion, with the results taken from our findings, phytic acid extracted from rice bran was revealed as a potent candidate for adjuvant chemotherapy and prevention of cancer.

Key words: Phytic acid, rice bran, apoptosis, anticancer, cell cycle.