Anticancer Effects of Monacolin X Against Human Liver Cancer Cell Line: Exploring the Apoptosis Using AO/EB and DCFHDA Fluorescent Staining

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) most prevalent form of liver cancer and poses a few available treatments and is a major worldwide health burden. Monacolin X, a natural compound derived from the marine sponge-associated symbiont Monascus ruber, has garnered attention for its potential anticancer and anti-angiogenesis properties. This current study aimed to investigate the anticancer and apoptosis-inducing effects of Monacolin X against the human liver cancer (HepG2) cell line in vitro. This present study utilized various assays to assess cytotoxicity by MTT assay, apoptosis induction, DCFH-DA staining to measure the intracellular ROS levels, and apoptosis-and inflammation-related gene expression changes induced by the Monacolin X. The MTT results discovered dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 72.4 μM. The apoptosis-inducing effect of Monacolin X was evident through propidium iodide (PI) and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining, accompanied by increased intracellular ROS levels and downregulated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and modulation of key apoptosis regulators (Bax and Bcl-2) as determined by qPCR analysis. In conclusion, these observations suggest a mechanism whereby Monacolin X has potent anticancer activity against the HepG2 cell line, and further investigation will be required to determine the molecular pathways responsible for the potential therapeutic effects for the clinical implications in liver cancer.