RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Huaier Extract Induces Apoptosis in Hepatoblastoma Cells Via the MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway JF In Vivo JO In Vivo FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 2381 OP 2388 DO 10.21873/invivo.12051 VO 34 IS 5 A1 XU, DONG-QING A1 YUAN, XIAO-JUN A1 HIRAYAMA, MASAHIRO A1 TOYODA, HIDEMI YR 2020 UL http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/34/5/2381.abstract AB Background/Aim: Huaier extract, whose main active constituent is the proteoglycan, has anti-tumor activity in several types of malignancies. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effect of Huaier extract in hepatoblastoma cells. Materials and Methods: The effect of Huaier extract on the proliferation of human hepatoblastoma cell lines HepG2 and HuH-6, was examined. Results: Incubation with Huaier extract resulted in a marked, dose-dependent decrease in hepatoblastoma cell viability. Huaier extract induced S phase arrest in hepatoblastoma cells and upregulated the expression of the cell cycle related proteins cyclin D1 and cyclin D3. It also induced apoptosis in hepatoblastoma cells. Additionally, it significantly suppressed the activity of p-ERK and p-MEK. Conclusion: Huaier extract inhibits proliferation, and induces cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via the MEK-ERK pathway in hepatoblastoma cells. Huaier extract may act as a complementary agent for treating hepatoblastoma.