Effect of parthenolide on proliferation and apoptosis in gastric cancer cell line SGC7901.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of parthenolide (PAR) on proliferation and apoptosis in gastric cancer cell line SGC7901.


METHODS
Human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 cells were incubated with various concentration of PAR. After various periods of incubation, the proliferation of SGC7901 cells was assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was measured by the annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate fluoresceine isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) double labeled staining method and the morphology of the cell was observed under a fluorescent microscope. Mitochondrial potential was measured by flow cytometry after Rhodamine 123 staining. The expressions of cytochrome C and the Bcl-2 family of proteins, including Bcl-2, Bax, Bid and tBid were measured by Western blot. Caspase 3 and 8 activities were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Treatment with PAR induced apoptosis as confirmed by annexin V-FITC/PI assay. PAR-induced apoptosis was associated with intracellular events including the decline of mitochondrial potential, increased release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria, decreased expression of Bcl-2, increased expression of Bax, Bid and tBid and activation of caspase 3 and 8.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that possibly via activation of the mitochondrial pathway, PAR causes mitochondrial damage leading to the release of cytochrome C and by regulating the expression of the Bcl-2 family of proteins and activating caspases which leads to results in apoptotic cell death in SGC7901 cells. Our results might be helpful in formulating new therapeutic approaches using Chinese herbal medicine.
Zhao
Li Jie
LJ
Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
Xu
Yong Hong
YH
Li
Yan
Y
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*
D016328:NF-kappa B; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C002669:parthenolide; D045304:Cytochromes c