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Extract of Zuojin Pill (左金丸) induces apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells via mitochondria-dependent pathway

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Abstract

Objective

To observe the effects of water extract of Zuojin Pill (左金丸, ZJP) on inhibiting the growth of human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and its potential mechanism.

Methods

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.

Results

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.

Conclusions

ZJP inhibits the cancer cell growth via activating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway. ZJP can potentially serve as an antitumor agent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China

    Qiu-xian Peng  (彭求贤), Hong-bing Cai  (蔡红兵) & Zhi-xian Mo  (莫志贤)

  2. Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Qiu-xian Peng  (彭求贤), Kin Lam Yung  (翁建霖) & Jue Shi  (史 珏)

  3. College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China

    Jiang-li Peng  (彭江丽)

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  1. Qiu-xian Peng  (彭求贤)
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  2. Hong-bing Cai  (蔡红兵)
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  3. Jiang-li Peng  (彭江丽)
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  4. Kin Lam Yung  (翁建霖)
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Correspondence to Zhi-xian Mo  (莫志贤).

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Peng, Qx., Cai, Hb., Peng, Jl. et al. Extract of Zuojin Pill (左金丸) induces apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells via mitochondria-dependent pathway. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 21, 837–845 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2043-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2043-3

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