Abstract

Dihydromyricetin was a flavonoid with good prospect in food and medicine industry, but its poor water solubility limits its application. By forming the inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, the solubility and stability of dihydromyricetin in water could be significantly improved. In this study, it was found that the complex could inhibit the proliferation of the human hepatocellular liver carcinoma Hep G2 cells and induce the significant change of cell cycle. After been treated by the complex, phosphatidylserine of Hep G2 could significantly translocate to the surface of the membrane. The increase of an early apoptotic population of Hep G2 cells was observed. It was concluded that the complex not only affected the progress of the cell cycle but also induced cells to enter intoapoptosis.

Key words: Dihydromyricetin, flavonoid, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, complex, apoptosis.