Therapeutic mechanism of ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides on gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To study the therapeutic mechanism of Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides (GBEP) on gastric cancer.


METHODS
Thirty patients with gastric cancer were treated with oral GBEP capsules. The area of tumors was measured by electron gastroscope before and after treatment, then the inhibitory and effective rates were calculated. The ultrastructures of tumor cells were examined by transmissional electron microscope. Cell culture, MTT, flow cytometry were performed to observe proliferation, apoptosis and changes of relevant gene expression of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.


RESULTS
Compared with the statement before treatment, GBEP capsules could reduce the area of tumors, and the effective rate was 73.4%. Ultrastructural changes of the cells indicated that GBEP could induce apoptosis and differentiation in tumor cells of patients with gastric cancer. GBEP could inhibit the growth of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells following 24-72 h treatment in vitro at 10-320 mg/L, which was dose- and time-dependent. GBEP was able to elevate the apoptosis rate and expression of c-fos gene, but reduce the expression of c-myc and bcl-2 genes also in a dose-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
The therapeutic mechanism of GBEP on human gastric cancer may relate to its effects on the expression of c-myc, bcl-2 and c-fos genes, which can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis and differentiation of tumor cells.
Xu
Ai-Hua
AH
Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China. yzxih@21cn.com
Chen
Hua-Sheng
HS
Sun
Bu-Chan
BC
Xiang
Xiao-Ren
XR
Chu
Yun-Fei
YF
Zhai
Fan
F
Jia
Ling-Chang
LC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000378:metabolism; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000378:metabolism; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D010936:Plant Extracts; D011134:Polysaccharides; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc