Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: 4-hydroxyisoleucine is an amino acid in Fenugreek, which has antidiabetic properties. This effect is possibly brought about by activation of PI3K. In this study, cytotoxic effect of 4-hydroxyisoleucine on hepatoma cell lines was studied.   Methods: In this experimental study, HepG2 and Huh-7 cell lines were cultured in a 96-well microplate and after 24 hours incubation, cells were exposed to different concentrations of 4-hydroxyisoleucine     (0.5-64mM). Cell viability was determined using MTT assay after 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation. The results were analyzed using    one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test.   Results: The percentage of cytotoxicity caused by 4-hydroxyisoleucine is concentration- and time-dependent. In this study, this difference was statistically significant compared to the control group (p<0.05), so that at the highest concentration (64mM) and after 72 hours, 65% and 61% of cell death was seen in HepG2 and Huh-7, respectively. IC 50 after 72 hours of incubation (at concentrations of 24mM and 23mM) was calculated for HepG2 and Huh-7, respectively.   Conclusion: The results of this study showed that 4-hydroxyisoleucine not only does not cause cancer cell growth, but also has cytotoxic effects on hepatoma cell lines. Given the antidiabetic effect of              4-hydroxyisoleucine, it could be an appropriate candidate as an antidiabetic drug.