Baicalin Magnesium Salt Exerts an Antitumor Effect in HepG2 Hepatoma Cells

Background Scutellaria baicalensis is an important medicinal plant used in China. Several compounds have been extracted from S. using modern techniques. Baicalin, active ingredient of baicalensis, widely clinically. However, its clinical use limited owing to poor oral bioavailability and intestinal absorption. Objectives To evaluate the anti-tumor effect baicalin magnesium salt (BA-MG, a novel form with superior water solubility) on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2. Materials Methods Seven groups were established, including three dosages BA-MG (200, 250, 300 µg/mL), baicalin, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (negative control), sulfate control groups. Cell proliferation was determined counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. cycle apoptosis detected by flow cytometry. migration scratch Protein expression western blotting. Results In vitro, inhibited proliferation, reduced cloning abilities, induced arrest, promoted HepG2 cells (all p < 0.05). The effects migration, cycle, may be attributed decreasing Bcl-2, ROCK-1, proliferating nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin E, as well increasing Bax caspase-9. efficacy that at same dose. Conclusion showed inhibiting inducing liver cancer cells.