Mustafa Orhan TUNÇEL, İsmail KOYUNCU, Ebru TEMİZ, Kadir EĞİ, Hasine YEL, Özgür YÜKSEKDAĞ, Mehmet Maruf BALOS
Anatolian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences - 2026;5(2):58-70
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide, creating an urgent need for new therapeutic agents. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate the selective anticancer effects of Haplophyllum ptilostylum on SNU-423 liver cancer cells, with a particular focus on mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Methanolic and dichloromethane extracts of H. ptilostylum were applied to SNU-423 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and HUVEC normal endothelial cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay. Apoptotic morphology was examined through acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, while apoptosis was further quantified by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Cell cycle distribution was evaluated by flow cytometry, and mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using the JC-1 assay. The extracts significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. JC-1 staining demonstrated mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and AO/EB staining indicated classical apoptotic morphology. Flow cytometry confirmed apoptosis through increased Annexin V-positive cell populations. These findings suggest that H. ptilostylum induces apoptosis in SNU-423 liver cancer cells via mitochondrial dysfunction, positioning it as a noteworthy candidate for further preclinical investigation.
