title: Aloe-emodin-induced apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma cells.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of aloe-emodin, an anthraquinone compound present in the leaves of Aloe vera, on two distinct human gastric carcinoma cell lines, AGS and NCI-N87. We demonstrate that aloe-emodin induced cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Noteworthy is that the AGS cells were generally more sensitive than the NCI-N87 cells. Aloe-emodin caused the release of apoptosis-inducing factor and cytochrome c from mitochondria, followed by the activation of caspase-3, leading to nuclear shrinkage and apoptosis. In addition, exposure to aloe-emodin suppressed the casein kinase II activity in a time-dependent manner and was accompanied by a reduced phosphorylation of Bid, a downstream substrate of casein kinase II and a pro-apoptotic molecule. These preclinical studies suggest that aloe-emodin represents a suitable and novel chemotherapeutic drug candidate for the treatment of human gastric carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. shchen@tmu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Sheng-Hsuan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kai-Yuan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chun-Chao
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chia-Lang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Chih-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor; D051023:BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D047390:Casein Kinase II / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D045304:Cytochromes c; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor; D051023:BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein; C494814:BID protein, human; D045304:Cytochromes c; C518327:aloe emodin; D047390:Casein Kinase II