Dryocrassin ABBA Induces Apoptosis in Human HepG2 Cells Through a Caspase-Dependent Mitochondrial Pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common and one of the highest degree of malignancy of the tumor. It has the fifth highest incidence rate in the world, and its mortality rates ranked the third (Parkin, 2001). Currently, most chemotherapeutic agents in clinical use currently are effective in combating cancer cells, but they also induce various adverse effects (Roy et al., 2005). Chemotherapeutic agents, such as paclitaxel and anthracyclines, cause severe side effects and drug resistance in patients (Fauzi et al., 2011). In recent years, antitumour drugs from plants have drawn attention because of their strong effects and low toxicities. Thus, developing natural therapeutic agents to treat hepatocellular carcinoma is necessary. Ferns are known to be rich in natural compounds, containing phloroglucinol derivatives, flavonoid and polysaccharide etc. Among these natural compounds, the content of phloroglucinol is highest. Total phloroglucinol extract from Dryopteris crassirhizoma has significant anticancer activity to multiple transplanted animal tumor. Dryocrassine ABBA is phloroglucinol derivative extracted from Dryopteris crassirhizoma. Dryocrassine ABBA