Effects of Huaier Polysaccharide SP1 on Gastric Cancer Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration, and Invasion by Regulating TGF-β/SMAD Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Objective. To study the effects of Huaier polysaccharide SP1 on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 and the underlying mechanism. Methods. MGC-803 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with SP1. The effects of SP1 on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of MGC-803 cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, and Transwell assay, respectively. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression of related genes. Results. Our study showed that Huaier polysaccharide SP1 could inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion, and promote the apoptosis of MGC-803 cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Huaier polysaccharide SP1 could inhibit the activation of TGF-β/SMAD signal pathway by upregulating SMAD7 expression, thereby downregulating the expression of SOX4, ZEB2, MMP9, Snail, and Slug. Conclusion. Huaier polysaccharide SP1 can regulate the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells by promoting the expression of SMAD7 and inhibiting the activation of TGF-β/SMAD signal pathway as well as the expression of the downstream oncogenes.