Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge root extract induces apoptosis of murine lung carcinoma cells in vitro

This study sought to evaluate the anticancer effects of Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge root extract (CPE) on murine Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LLC1) in vitro. CPE treatment (2.5, 5, 10 μg/mL, 24 h) of LLC cells led to a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, while CPE treatment did not have a cytotoxic effect on non-cancer cells (NIH/3T3). CPE affects LLC by flipping the plasma membrane and making the membrane more permeable; by flow cytometry, CPE-induced annexin V and propidium iodide positivity, indicating induction of apoptosis in LLC cells. In addition, CPE enhanced the expression of apoptotic proteins caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1). CPE upregulated the proapoptotic protein BCL-2-associated X while downregulating the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), suggesting that CPE induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. Furthermore, CPE upregulated the phosphorylation of the mitogen activated protein kinase p38. In conclusion, the results suggest that CPE has an anticancer effect in LLC cells by inducing apoptosis via p38.