Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on growth and apoptosis of gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 and SGC-7901 in vitro. Methods MKN-45 and SGC-7901 cells at logarithmic growth phase were obtained, and were cultured with ginsenoside Rg3 of different concentrations （20, 30, 40, 50 μg/mL）for 24, 48 h or 24, 48 and 72 h. Cells cultured without ginsenoside Rg3 were served as controls. The inhibition rates of ginsenoside Rg3 on MKN-45 and SGC-7901 cells were detected by MTT assay, apoptosis rate of SGC-7901 cells was determined by Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry, cell cycles of SGC-7901 cells were analysed by flow cytometry, and morphological changes of SGC-7901 cells in 50 μg/mL ginsenoside Rg3 treatment group were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results The inhibition rates on MKN-45 and SGC-7901 cells in each ginsenoside Rg3 treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05), and the inhibition rates increased with the concentrations of ginsenoside Rg3 and time of culture (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the apoptosis rates of SGC-7901 cells and percentages of cells in G₀/G₁ cell cycle in each ginsenoside Rg3 treatment group were significantly increased in a concentration and time dependent manner. Typical morphology of SGC-7901 cell apoptosis was observed by transmission electron microscopy in 50 μg/mL ginsenoside Rg3 treatment group. Conclusion Ginsenoside Rg3 has significant inhibition effect on gastric cancer cell lines in vitro with a concentration and time dependent manner, the mechanism of which may involve the induction of gastric cell line apoptosis.

Key words: ginsenoside-Rg3, gastric cancer cell line, cell apoptosis, cell growth, inhibition