Abstract:

To investigate the cytotoxic activity of general flavonoids (GFs) from Xinjiang Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat, on cervical carcinoma cells. GFs was prepared from Glycyrrhiza inflata, and the finger print map was characterized by Electro Spray Mass Spectrometry; SiHa cervical carcinoma cells were treated with GFs, and the cell viability and cellular apoptosis were determined by MTT method and flow cytometry, respectively. We discovered that GFs from Xinjiang Glycyrrhiza inflata had special finger print characteristics; the content of flavonoids in the extract was 35.40%; in the dose range of 0-500 μg/mL GFs, the cell viability dropped gradually with the GFs treatment, and the lowest level by MTT detection was 12%; in the dose range of 0-1000 μg/mL GFs, the ratio of cellular apoptosis induced by GFs increased gradually, and the highest level by flow cytometry detection was up to 78%. GFs from Xinjiang Glycyrrhiza inflata had relatively high cytotoxic activity including the inhibition of cell growth and viability as well as the induction of cellular apoptosis. In conclusion, this work may provide important evidence for further screening and isolation of active ingredients of flavonoids as well as the development of new natural anti-cancer drugs.

Key words: Xinjiang Glycyrrhiza inflata, general flavonoids (GFs), cytotoxic activity