Modified Liangfu granule exhibits anti-cancer effects in gastric cancer by regulating apoptosis-related proteins and genes

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the anti-cancer effects and mechanism of modified Liangfu granule (MLFG) in BGC-823 gastric cancer cells. Methods: The drug serum was extracted from abdominal aorta of Wistar rats treated by cyclophosphamide, dioscin, MLFG (high-, medium-, and low-dose), respectively. MTS assay was performed to detect the effect of different concentrations of MLFG and dioscin on cell growth. The effect of MLFG on cellular apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to examine Bcl-2 and Akt in BGC-823 cells treated with MLFG. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to determine the expression level of caspase-3, E2F1 and E2F3 genes in cells treated by MLFG- and dioscin-containing serum. Results: MLFG- and dioscin-containing serum inhibited the cell proliferation of BGC-823 cells. MLFG induced gastric carcinoma cell apoptosis and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 and Akt in a dose-dependent manner. MLFG also significantly induced the gene expression of caspase-3 and downregulated E2F1 and E2F3 gene expression. Conclusion: The effect of MLFG and dioscin on inhibiting cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis of gastric cancer cells might be related to the regulation of Bcl-2 and Akt proteins and the expression of caspase-3, E2F1 and E2F3 genes. Keywords: Modified Liangfu granule, Gastric cancer, Caspase-3, E2F1, E2F3