Effects of salinomycin and 17-AAG on proliferation of human gastric cancer cells in vitro

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of 17-AAG combined with salinomycin treatment on proliferation and apoptosis of the SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell line. An MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells. Morphological alterations of cells were observed under inverted phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopes. Cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry analysis. The protein expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and Fas-ligand (L) were evaluated by immunocytochemistry. Salinomycin with a concentration range of 1–32 µmol/l was demonstrated to inhibit growth of SGC-7901 cells effectively, affect the morphology and apoptosis rate of cells, and arrest SGC-7901 cells in S phase. Furthermore, salinomycin significantly increased the protein expression of Fas-L and decreased the protein expression of NF-κB p65. The alterations in SGC-7901 cells co-treated with salinomycin and 17-AAG were more significant compared with cells treated with one drug only. In conclusion, the individual use of salinomycin and combined use with 17-AAG may significantly inhibit SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. The potential mechanisms may be associated with upregulation of Fas-L and downregulation of NF-κB. These results provide a basis for the potential use of salinomycin in gastric cancer treatment.