Objective: To investigate the toxicity of triptolide on HepG2 cells and its modulating effects on autophagy. Method: HepG2 cells were cultured in vitro

and triptolide with the concentrations of 0.003 2

0.016

0.08

0.4

2 g·L-1 were added into the cells for 48 h. Compared with the control group

the cells viability was detected by MTT assay

ELISA methods was used to determine superoxide dismutase (SOD)

glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity

the expressions of the autophagy-related protein LC3Ⅱ and Beclin1 were detected by Western blot

and the expression of the autophagy-related protein LC3 was detected by immunofluorescence. Result: Compared with the control group

with the increase in the dose of triptolide

the HepG2 activity was decreased (P<0.05

P<0.01); the levels of SOD and GSH-Px expressions were lower than the control group (P<0.05

P<0.01); the expressions of autophagy-related protein LC3Ⅱ and Beclin1 were detected by Western blot (P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the expression of autophagy-related protein LC3 was also detected by immunofluorescence in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Certain concentrations of triptolide could cause hepatotoxicity

which was related to peroxidation and overactivating autophagy caused peroxidation.