Wogonin inhibits radiation-induced DNA damage repair in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by upregulating p21

• Published in: The Korean journal of physiology & pharmacology Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 419 - 429
• Main Author: Xiao Xu(Xiao Xu), Yonghong Qian(Yonghong Qian), Shusheng Zhu(Shusheng Zhu), Hu Tian(Hu Tian), Pingping Zhai(Pingping Zhai), Shimin Zhu(Shimin Zhu), Jingjing Wang(Jingjing Wang), Lei Xie(Lei Xie), Songbing Qin(Songbing Qin)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 30.06.2025; The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Editorial Office
• Subjects: Medicine; Hepatocellular carcinoma; DNA damage; Cell cycle; Radiation
• ISSN: 1226-4512; 2093-3827

Wogonin has been shown to exhibit anti-tumor effects by regulating the growth and inducing cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, its impact on radiotherapy for HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms and effects of wogonin in enhancing radiotherapy for HCC. The viability and cell cycle of HCC cells were assessed using CCK-8, trypan blue dye exclusion, and flow cytometry. RNA sequencing was performed to explore the genomic effects of wogonin on HCC cells. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to detect γ-H2AX distribution, and Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of γ-H2AX and p21. Wogonin induced cell cycle arrest and inhibited DNA damage repair in SMMC-7721 and HCC-LM3 cells following irradiation. RNA sequencing analysis of wogonin- and radiation-treated cells revealed significant enrichment of genes related to cell cycle progression, with notable changes in CDK inhibitor expression. Furthermore, wogonin in combination with irradiation increased the expression of γ-H2AX and p21 in HCC cells. Notably, p21 interference partially abrogated the anti-tumor effects of wogonin and radiation. Wogonin enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy in HCC by promoting cell cycle arrest and inhibiting DNA damage repair through upregulation of p21.