In vitro activity: Epirubicin, like doxorubicin, exerts its antitumor effects by complex with DNA, resulting in damage to DNA and interference with the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Epirubicin may also affect the integrity and activity of cellular membranes. Maximal cell kill caused by Epirubicin occurs during the S phase of the cell cycle. With higher concentrations effects are also seen in early G2 as well as G1 and M phases. Epirubicin display antineoplastic activity against most cancer cells. Epirubicin is cytotoxic to Hepatoma G2 cells with IC50 of 1.6 μg/mL at 24hr. 1.6 μg/mL Epirubicin induces apoptosis of Hep G2 cells, and higher activity of catalase by 50%, Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase by 110%, Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase by 172% and Mn-superoxide dismutase by 135%. Epirbicin increases the cellular expression of NADPH-CYP 450 reductase, and reduces GST-π expression.

Cell Assay: Hep G2 cells (500 cells/well, monolayer) are plated in a 96-well plate. The next day the cells are treated with Epirubicin in the medium. At the end of the incubation periods, 15% volume of MTT dye solution is added. After 1 hr of incubation at 37℃, an equal volume of solubilization/stop solution (dimethylsul-foxide) is added to each well for an additional 1 hr incubation. The absorbance of the reaction solution at 570 nm is recorded.