Investigation of the Effects of Extracts of Ornithogalum sigmoideum Freyn & Sint. and Smilax excelsa L. on GST Isozymes in the HepG2 Cell Line

This study aimed to investigate the effects of above-ground and underground extracts obtained from Ornithogalum sigmoideum Freyn&Sint. (Sakarca, Çökülce, Tükürük otu, and Karga sarımsağı), Smilax excelsa L. (melocan, dikenucu, kırçan, melevcan, merülcen, saparna), and Aegopodium podagraria L. (mendek, keçiayağı) plants on GST (Glutathione-S-Transferase) isozymes in the HepG2 (Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line) liver cancer cell line. Plant samples were obtained from the Perşembe district market in Ordu province in May, which is the harvesting and consumption season for the plants, and their extracts were prepared. Liver cancer cells were multiplied in a specially prepared culture medium using the cell culture method. Plant extracts, taken in 30-gram doses, were applied to the multiplied cancer cell lines. The samples were administered and examined at 24, 48, and 72-hour intervals. The viability of liver cancer cells was investigated using the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) test method. Based on the determined IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values, the concentration ranges required to maintain 50% viability of different plant extracts in the HepG2 cell line were determined. GST enzyme activity tests were performed to determine the total GST-specific activity of the plant extracts applied to the HepG2 cell line, and statistical interpretation was made. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated the presence of GST enzymes involved in the apoptotic pathway in the HepG2 cell line containing previously prepared plant samples at the microscopic level. In conclusion, it was determined that each plant extract affected the expression of the GST enzyme in the liver cell line differently (suppression or increase), and that these plant extracts can be used in future studies and drug design.