Abstract

Background: Clinical studies and biological mechanism research showed that Babao Dan (BBD) exerts strong activity against many types of cancer, including gastric cancer (GC). In this article, the effect of BBD on proliferation of human gastric cancer cells (AGS, MGC80-3) was studied.

Methods: AGS and MGC80-3 cells were treated with various concentrations of BBD in vitro. The cell viability and survival rate were determined by the MTT assay and colony formation assay. The cell cycle analysis was measured by PI staining with flow cytometry. The level of G1/S phase check point related proteins (p53, p-p53, PCNA, Survivin, Cyclin D1, CDK4, p21) were determine by Western Blot.

Results: BBD inhibited AGS and MGC80-3 cells viability and decreased survival rate in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage of S-phase of AGS and MGC80-3 were found to be significant decreased in dose-dependent manner after cells were treated by different concentration BBD for 24 h. In addition, increased BBD concentration up-regulated protein p-p53, p21 level and down-regulated the expression of cell survival key protein Survivin, cell proliferation key protein PCNA and cell cycle related protein Cyclin D1, CDK4, which is closely correlated with the G1/S phase checkpoint.

Conclusion: BBD is likely to inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells with blocking G1/S cell cycle transition by regulating the p53 pathway. Thus, BBD may become a promising agent used for GC clinical treatment.