HG30, a tetrahydroanthraquinone compound isolated from the roots of Prismatomeris connate, induces apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer cells.

HG30, a tetrahydroanthraquinone compound isolated from the roots of Prismatomeris connate, was previously shown to inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor activity of HG30 in two non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, A549 and H1299, and to explore potential underlying mechanisms. In cell viability and colony formation assays, HG30 treatment suppressed the proliferation and number of colonies formed by A549 and H1299 cells. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that induction of apoptosis by HG30 in A549 and H1299 cells involves both caspase-dependent apoptosis pathways, including mitochondria- and death receptor-mediated pathways, and an apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) -associated caspase-independent apoptosis pathway. Specifically, HG30 treatment affected Bcl-2 family proteins and inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family proteins by down-regulating of Mcl-1, survivin and XIAP and up-regulation of Bid, and Bim.