Effects of GA on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Gastric Carcinoma Cell Line MGC- 803

Objective To investigate the effects of GA on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cell line MGG-803 and the molecular mechanism. Methods MTT assay was used to measure the inhibitory effect of GA on the proliferation of MGG-803 cells cultured. The cell cycle alteration and apoptotic rate of the cells were detected by flow cytometry(FCM). The morphological change of cells was observed by Giemsa staining. The expressions of EphA2, survivin and Caspase-3 were examined by immunocytochemical staining and FCM, respectively. Results After incubation with different concentration of GA for 12 to 72h, MGG-803 cell proliferation was inhibited significantly in time- and dose- dependent manners. GA at different concentrations arrested the cells at S phase and increased the apoptotic rate. The cells treated with GA showed distinctive apoptotic characteristics by Giemsa staining. GA at different concentrations dramatically inhibited the protein expressions of EphA2 and survivin, while up-regulated the expression of Caspase-3 protein in MGG-803 cells. Conclusion GA can inhibit the proliferation, arrest cell cycle and induce the apoptosis of gastric carcinoma MGG-803 cells. The mechanism may be related with down-regulation of EphA2, survivin protein and then activation of Caspase-3 protein.