Dihydromyricetin induces cell apoptosis via a p53-related pathway in AGS human gastric cancer cells

Genet Mol Res. 2015 Dec 2;14(4):15564-71. doi: 10.4238/2015.December.1.7.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of dihydromyricetin (DHM) on the AGS human gastric cancer cells and their underlying mechanisms. The effects of DHM on AGS cells were evaluated by using 3-(4, 5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase, and Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double-staining assays. The underlying mechanisms were determined by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that DHM significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited AGS cell proliferation and induced cell cytotoxicity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, Annexin V/PI double-staining assay showed that DHM promoted cell apoptosis in both, early and late stages. Furthermore, DHM also regulated the expression of apoptotic genes such as p53 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In conclusion, this is the first report demonstrating the anticancer and pro-apoptosis effects of DHM on AGS human gastric cancer cells. The results strongly suggest that DHM may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Flavonols / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Flavonols
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • dihydromyricetin