Zolmitriptan attenuates hepatocellular carcinoma via activation of caspase mediated apoptosis.

A preclinical study using DEN-induced HCC rat model was attempted to evaluate the antitumor potential of zolmitriptan (ZOL). The molecular insights were investigated using ELISA, qRT-PCR and Western blot techniques. The result confirmed that the HCC condition was developed in response to lower expressions of caspase 3 and 9 which, in turn, was due to the upstream regulation of iNOS, Bcl-xl and Bcl-2, and downstream regulation of eNOS, BAX, BAD and Cyt C.