近年來已有發現許多天然物中存在許多具生物活性之分子，而且有些甚至具有防癌及抑制癌細胞生長之功效。本研究發現中藥黃連中的成分小柏鹼(50μM)可以造成人類肝腫瘤細胞株(HepG2)死亡，但對正常的人類肝臟細胞株(Chang liver)並無影響。人類肝腫瘤細胞株(HepG2)經過12及24小時處理也會活化Fas和粒線體膜電位(△ψm)的下降而造成細胞的死亡，因此小柏鹼抗人類肝腫瘤之作用可能經由抑制粒線體途徑而進行。

Recent studies have provided strong evidence that many daily-consumed dietary compounds possess cancer-protective properties that might interrupt the carcinogenesis process. Berberine is a main component of coptis. We further demonstrated that berberine (50 μM) exhibited significant cytotoxicity in humen hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells but is ineffective in Chang liver cells. After berberine-treatment to HepG2 cells, mitochondrial membrane potential (△ψm) were lost at 24 h and activation of Fas at 12 h were also. These result provided that potential of anti-hepatoma activity of berberine may be mediated through an inhibition of mitochondria pathway.