Rehmanniae Radix‑Induced Apoptosis via Inhibition of PI3K/ AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines SMMC‑7721

Objectives: To inspect RR leaves extracts pro‑apoptotic activities on SMMC‑7721 liver cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: Anti‑cancer effect of RR extracts in SMMC‑7721 liver cancer cell lines was aged rate of cell apoptosis (AO/EB, 4′,6‑diamidino‑2‑phenylindole [DAPI], and PI staining), ΔΨm (Rh‑123 staining), intracellular Reactive oxygen species (ROS) (DCFH‑DA staining), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (mRNA expressions of Bax, p53, Bcl‑2, caspase‑3,‑9,‑8, IL‑6, PI3K/AKT, and mTOR). Results: It has been shown that RR leaf ethanolic extracts suggestively declined cell viability, augmented the rate of cell apoptosis (AO/EB, DAPI, and PI staining), and caused the potential for ΔΨm, and induced over‑accumulation of intracellular ROS (DCFH‑DA staining) in SMMC‑7721 cells after 24 h of exposure. In SMMC‑7721 cell lines, we have examined anti‑cancer activity to scrutinize the underlying mechanism by assessing the mRNA expressions of Bax, p53, Bcl‑2, caspase‑3,‑9,‑8, IL‑6, PI3K/AKT, and mTOR. Results displayed the significant inhibition of the apoptosis as stated above related proteins. Conclusion: RR extracts exhibited its potential anti‑cancer activity against SMMC‑7721 cells by prompting apoptosis‑induced cell death and inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling.