Lily extracts inhibit the proliferation of gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells by affecting cell cycle progression and apoptosis via the upregulation of caspase-3 and Fas proteins, and the downregulation of FasL protein

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of alkaloids and carbinol extracts from lily on the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells, as well as the underlying mechanism. SGC-7901 cells were incubated with different concentrations of alkaloid or carbinol extracts for 24, 48 or 72 h. MTT assays were used to measure the inhibition rate of SGC-7901 cell proliferation. Inverted phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy was used to observe morphological changes of SGC-7901 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle progression and apoptosis rates of SGC-7901 cells. Western blotting was performed to measure the expression of caspase-3, Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) proteins in SGC-7901 cells. The inhibition rate of SGC-7901 cell proliferation was significantly enhanced with increasing drug concentrations and time elapsed. Treatment with alkaloid or carbinol extracts deteriorated the morphology of SGC-7901 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Alkaloid and carbinol extracts arrested SGC-7901 cells in the G(2)/M phase, and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Alkaloid and carbinol extracts enhanced caspase-3, and Fas expression, but reduced FasL expression in SGC-7901 cells. The present study demonstrated that alkaloids and carbinol extracts from lily inhibited the proliferation of gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells by arresting cells in the G(2)/M phase. The upregulation of caspase-3 and Fas proteins, and the downregulation of FasL protein may be an important mechanism for the induction of SGC-7901 cell apoptosis.