Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Pumilaside A from Litchi semen induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer BGC823 cells via activation of death receptor- and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways

Xiao Zheng¹, Jian-Wei Liang¹, Gang Cui¹, Lei Zhang², Jun Liu¹

¹Department of General Surgery; ²Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian 271000, PR China.

For correspondence:- Jun Liu Email: unliuta@163.com

Accepted: 19 November 2018 Published: 26 December 2018

Citation: Zheng X, Liang J, Cui G, Zhang L, Liu J. Pumilaside A from Litchi semen induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer BGC823 cells via activation of death receptor- and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways. Trop J Pharm Res 2018; 17(12):2405-2411 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v17i12.14

© 2018 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the cytotoxic effect of pumilaside A from Litchi semen against human gastric cancer BGC823 cells, and unravel its possible mechanism(s) of action.

Methods: The cytotoxic activity of pumilaside A (5 - 40 μg/mL) against BGC823 cells was assessed by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. The pro-apoptotic effect of PA (10, 20 or 40 μg/mL) on BGC823 cells was monitored by flow cytometry, while the mechanisms involved were investigated using western blot.

Results: Pumilaside A significantly produced cytotoxic activity against BGC823 cells (IC₅₀ = 25.43 μg/mL) and induced apoptosis in BGC823 cells (p < 0.01). Treatment with pumilaside A led to significant upregulation of pro-apoptotic factors (Fas, FasL, FADD, Bax, Apaf-1, and c-caspase -8, 9 and 10), and downregulation of anti-apoptotic factors (survivin and Bcl-2, p < 0.05, 0.01). In addition, pumilaside A increased the cytoplasmic levels of Smac and cytochrome c in BGC823 cells by enhancing their mitochondrial release, and significantly upregulated the levels of executioner c-caspases-3, 6 and 7 (p < 0.05, 0.01).

Conclusion: Pumilaside A shows good cytotoxic activity against BGC823 cells via a mechanism related to activation of death receptor- and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways. Thus, pumilaside A has a potential for use as an anti-gastric cancer agent.

Keywords: Litchi semen, Pumilaside A, BGC823 cells, Cytotoxicity, Apoptosis