PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - GIL WON LEE AU - WONHEE HUR AU - JUNG-HEE KIM AU - DONG JUN PARK AU - SUNG MIM KIM AU - BYUNG-YOON KANG AU - PIL SOO SUNG AU - SEUNG KEW YOON TI - <em>Nardostachys jatamansi</em> Root Extract Attenuates Tumor Progression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma <em>via</em> Inhibition of ERK/STAT3 Pathways AID - 10.21873/anticanres.14954 DP - 2021 Apr 01 TA - Anticancer Research PG - 1883--1893 VI - 41 IP - 4 4099 - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/41/4/1883.short 4100 - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/41/4/1883.full SO - Anticancer Res2021 Apr 01; 41 AB - Background/Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent disease and treatment is limited. Therefore, development of new therapeutic agents is urgent. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer effects of Nardostachys jatamansi root extract (NJRE) against HCC and underlying mechanisms involved in such effects. Materials and Methods: Effects of NJRE on viability of HCC cell lines were determined by MTT analysis and annexin/PI apoptosis assays. Expression levels of proteins in MAPK and STAT3 pathways and caspase-3 and PARP after treatment with NJRE in HCC cell lines were determined by western blotting. In a syngeneic model using mouse HCC cells Hepa1-6, inhibition of tumor formation after oral administration of NJRE was determined and expression levels of phospho-ERK and phospho-STAT3 in liver tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Results: NJRE reduced the activation of STAT3 by inhibiting the expression of ERK and finally attenuated the proliferation of HCC. Conclusion: NJRE has anti-cancer effects against HCC. It has potential to be used in the treatment of human HCC.