Extract of Zuojin Pill (characters: see text) induces apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells via mitochondria-dependent pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of water extract of Zuojin Pill ([characters: see text], ZJP) on inhibiting the growth of human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and its potential mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Effects of ZJP on SGC-7901 cells growth were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry, and apoptosis induction was detected by means of DNA gel electrophoresis. The cellular mechanism of drug-induced cell death was unraveled by assaying oxidative injury level of SGC-7901 cell, mitochondrial membrane potentials, expression of apoptosis-related genes, such as B cell lymphoma/lewkmia-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ZJP exerted evident inhibitory effect on SGC-7901 cells by activating production of reactive oxygen species and elevating Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in SGC-7901 cells, leading to attenuation of mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ZJP inhibits the cancer cell growth via activating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway. ZJP can potentially serve as an antitumor agent.</p>

Proportion of Coptidis rhizoma and Evodiae fructus in the compound preparation: its effect in inducing apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of water extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus (CREF) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cells (SGC-7901) and determine the optimal proportion of Coptidis rhizoma to Evodiae fructus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The growth inhibition of SGC-7901 cells treated with the water extracts of CREF of varying proportions was tested with MTT assay. The cell apoptotic rate and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed with flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The water extract of CREF with Coptidis Rhizoma: Evodiae Fructus proportions at 1:6, 2:5, 3:4, 4:3, 5:2, and 6:1 all significantly inhibited the growth of SGC-7901 cells after a 24-h or 48-h treatment (P<0.05). The growth inhibition and cell death ratio both exhibited a dose-dependent pattern of Coptidis Rhizoma. Flow cytometry analysis showed that, after treatment of the cells with CREF at the proportions of 1:6, 2:5, 3:4, 4:3, 5:2, and 6:1, the apoptotic rate were (8.50 ∓ 1.59)%, (9.90 ∓ 1.01)%, (17.15∓1.68)%, (21.55 ∓ 1.97)%, (34.10 ∓ 1.06)% and (34.40 ∓ 1.02)%, respectively, all significantly higher than that in the control group [(1.69 ∓ 1.91)%, P<0.05]. JC-1 Kit staining showed that mitochondrial membrane potential of SGC-7901 cells was decreased and the ratio of green to red fluorescence increased significantly after incubation with CREF.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CREF can inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells, and the strongest effect is achieved at the optimal proportion of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus at 6:1.</p>