Effects of Yangzheng Sanjie Decoction-containing serum mediated by microRNA-7 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common types of cancer and a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are demonstrated to function as oncomiRs or tumor-suppressor-miRs in GC. miR-7 has been identified to be a tumor suppressor of GC by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In our previous study, Yangzheng Sanjie Decoction (YZSJD), a traditional Chinese formula, was identified to be effective in alleviating the symptoms and even postponing turnover of precancerous lesions. To elucidate the mechanism of YZSJD, the present study evaluated the effects of YZSJD of the GC MKN-45 cell line and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms using YZSJD-containing serum (YCS). The expression of miR-7 in GC, normal and adjacent tissue samples was examined. The results demonstrated that YCS inhibited proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest at the S phase, and significantly induced apoptosis compared with the control group. miR-7 was significantly downregulated in GC tissues compared with the matched ones. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, the expression of miR-7 was inversely associated with EGFR. This indicates that YCS inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of GC cells mediated by miR-7 targeting EGFR, which may be one of the mechanisms whereby YZSJD exerts its effects on GC.