Quercetin Suppresses Proliferation of Liver Cancer Cell Lines In Vitro

Abstract

Background/aim: We investigated the anti-proliferative effect of quercetin on liver cancer cell lines.

Materials and methods: Thirteen liver cancer cell lines were cultured followed by treatment with varying concentrations of quercetin (0-100 μM) or quercetin and 5-FU, and the cell viability was analysed by the MTT assay. Flow cytometry was also used to examine cell cycle progression after treatment with quercetin.

Results: The addition of quercetin resulted in a dose- and time-dependent suppression of cell proliferation. In some cell lines, treatment with quercetin and 5-FU caused an additional or synergistic effect. Most cell lines displayed cell cycle arrest at different phases of the cell cycle.

Conclusion: Quercetin inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer cells via induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Keywords: Quercetin; antiproliferation effect; apoptosis; hepatocellular carcinoma.