Propofol induces ferroptosis and inhibits malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells by regulating miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis

Figure 5 Propofol enhances ferroptosis by targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 in gastric cancer cells. A: SGC7901 and BGC823 cells were treated with 5 mmol/L erastin, cotreated with 5 mmol/L erastin and propofol, or cotreated with 5 mmol/L erastin, propofol, and pcDNA.1-STAT3. MTT assays measured cell growth. B–D: SGC7901 and BGC823 cells were treated with propofol, or cotreated with propofol and pcDNA.1-STAT3. B: Iron Assay Kit analyzed the levels of iron; C: Flow cytometry analysis tested the levels of ROS; and D: Iron Assay Kit analyzed the levels of Fe²⁺. n = 3, mean ± SD, ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001.