Keywords: 
• wogonin /
• fluorouracil /
• antagonism /
• hepatocellular carcinoma cell Hep-G2

Abstract: Objective To investigate the antagonistic effect of wogonin in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the proliferation of human Hep-G2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods Human hepatocellular Hep-G2 cells were divided into experimental group (wogonin group, 5-FU group, wogonin + 5-FU group) and control group. MTT method was used to evaluate tumor cell proliferation in vitro, flow cytometry analysis was used to evaluate tumor cell apoptosis. Results The results showed that the wogonin inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells at the concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 40 μmol/L after 24 h and 48 h treatment respectively (P<0.05); 5-FU also inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells at the concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/L after 24 h and 48 h treatment respectively (P<0.05). However when wogonin was combined with 5-FU (wogonin+5-FU group), an antagonistic effect was observed on tumor cell proliferation (P<0.05). When cells were treated by wogonin+5-FU for 48 h, the combined index (CI) value slowed a dose-dependent antagonistic effect (P<0.05). Conclusion Wogonin has anti-tumor effect. However when wogonin was combined with 5-FU, an obvious antagonistic effect on 5-FU's anti-tumor action was observed. The underlying mechanism deserves further study.