[Apoptosis and activity changes of telomerase induced by essential oil from pine needles in HepG2 cell line].

Objective: To study the effects of essential oil extracted from pine needles on HepG2 cell line.

Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with essential oil extracted from pine needles. Cell growth rate was determined with MTF assay, cell morphologic changes were examined under transmission electromicroscope and HE straining. Flow cytometry was used to exmine apoptotic cells. Bcl-2 gene expression was determined by flow cytometry and telomerase activity by TRAP assay.

Results: Essential oils from pine needles could not only repress the growth of HepG2 cells significantly, but also induce apoptosis to them. Both dose-effect and time-effect relationship could be confirmed. Typical morphology changes of apoptosis such as nuclear enrichment and karyorrhexis were observed through transmission electromicroscope and HE straining. Telomerase activity was down regulated in the essential oil extracted from pine needles induced apoptotic cells. The expression of bcl-2 gene was suppressed after the essential oil from pine needles treatement.

Conclusion: The essential oil extracted from pine needles can inhibit cell growth of HepG2 cell line and induce apoptosis, which may associate with inhibition of telomerase activity and bcl-2 may be involved in the regulation of telomerase activity.