Original Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2009; 15(5): 570-577
Published online Feb 7, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.570
Astragalus extract inhibits destruction of gastric cancer cells to mesothelial cells by anti-apoptosis
Di Na, Fu-Nan Liu, Zhi-Feng Miao, Zong-Min Du, Hui-Mian Xu
Di Na, Fu-Nan Liu, Zhi-Feng Miao, Zong-Min Du, Hui-Mian Xu, Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Na D, Liu FN, Miao ZF, Du ZM performed the majority of experiments; Liu FN and Xu HM provided the vital reagents and analytical tools; Xu HM provided the financial support for this work; Na D designed the study and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Hui-Mian Xu, Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China. xuhuimian@yahoo.cn
Telephone: +86-24-83283555
Fax: +86-24-22702860
Received: November 24, 2008
Revised: December 25, 2008
Accepted: December 31, 2008
Published online: February 7, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To determine the inhibitory effect of Astragalus memebranaceushas on gastric cancer cell supernatant-induced apoptosis of human peritoneal mesothelial cells.

METHODS: Human peritoneal mesothelial cell (HPMC) line HMrSV5 was co-incubated with gastric cancer cell supernatant (MKN45) and/or Astragalus memebranaceushas. Morphological changes in gastric cancer cells were observed under phase-contrast microscope. Quantitative cell damage was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined under transmission electron microscope and quantified by detecting acridine orange/ethidium bromide-stained (AO/EB) condensed nuclei under fluorescent microscope or by flow cytometry. Expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were evaluated with immunostaining.

RESULTS: Morphological changes and exfoliation occurred and naked areas appeared in cultured HMrSV5 cells 24 h after they were treated with gastric cancer cell supernatant. Cell supernatant from MKN45 gastric cancer cells induced apoptosis of HMrSV5 cells in a time-dependent manner. Obvious morphological changes were observed in cell apoptosis, such as condensation of chromatin, nuclear fragmentations and apoptotic bodies. Astragalus memebranaceus could partly suppress these changes and regulate the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in HMrSV5 cells.

CONCLUSION: Gastric cancer cells induce apoptosis of HPMCs through the supernatant. Astragalus memebranaceushas inhibits this phenomenon and can be used an adjuvant chemothera-peutic agent in gastric cancer therapy.

Keywords: Peritoneal carcinomatosis, Stomach neoplasm, Astragalus plant, Mesothelial cell, Apoptosis