Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Aspirin inhibits proliferation of gastric cancer cells via IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway

Shunyu Tang¹, Yun Liu¹, Changqing Liu¹, Jiayun Zhao²

¹Department of Gastroenterology, Jingmen First People's Hospital, Jingmen, China; ²Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Jingmen First People's Hospital, Jingmen, China.

For correspondence:- Jiayun Zhao Email: wwwzjy828@163.com Tel:+8613971851133

Accepted: 11 July 2022 Published: 28 August 2022

Citation: Tang S, Liu Y, Liu C, Zhao J. Aspirin inhibits proliferation of gastric cancer cells via IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Trop J Pharm Res 2022; 21(8):1655-1660 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v21i8.11

© 2022 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To study the effect of aspirin on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells, and its key molecular mechanism of action.

Methods: Gastric cancer SGC7901 cells were treated with aspirin at concentrations of 0, 1, 2 and 4 mmol/L. Cell proliferation was measured using cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay, while messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of interleukin (IL)-6, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Furthermore, the protein expression levels of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), Bcl-2 and Bax were evaluated by Western blotting.

Results: Compared with control group, 1, 2 and 4 mmol/L aspirin groups showed lower cell proliferation, and decreased mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax and IL-6 release at 24, 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Cell apoptosis in the aspirin groups was higher than in the control group. Also, compared with the control group, 1 mmol/L aspirin group did not exhibit significant changes in the expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 at 72 h. On the other hand, the 2 mmol/L aspirin group at 72 h and the 4 mmol/L aspirin group exhibited significant increases in the expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax declined in the aspirin groups when compared with the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Aspirin inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer SGC7901 cells, and induces their apoptosis in vitro in IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. The results of the current study may provide new insight into the treatment of gastric cancer.

Keywords: Aspirin, Gastric cancer cells, Cell apoptosis, IL-6/STAT3