Apoptotic Effects of Linum album Extracts on AGS Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells and ZNF703 Oncogene Expression

INTRODUCTION: Linum album is a medicinal plant endemic in Iran that is very important pharmaceutically. The present study concerns the effect of different extracts of L. album on ZNF703 gene expression and apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma AGS cells. METHOD AND MATERIAL: Hydro alchoholic L. album extracts from various plant sources were produced by Maceration. AGS cells were treated with different concentrations (200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 µg/ml) and the cytotoxicity potency was assessed after 24 h by MTT assay. Then, quantitative real time PCR was conducted for ZNF703 gene expression in AGS cells. Also, cell apoptosis/necrosis was assessed with the aid of Annexin V/PI staining and quantification by flow cytometry. RESULTS: L. album extracts exerted dose-dependent toxicity in the AGS cell line. The mRNA levels of ZNF703 gene expression were significantly decreased with rhizome, fruit at fruiting, leaf and stem at anthesis (P<0.001), and leaf and stem at fruiting extracts as compared to the controls (P<0.01). Also, the number of apoptotic cells was increased from 2.70% (statistically significant; p<0.05) in untreated AGS cells to 44%, following treatment with the leaf and stem at anthesis example. DISCUSSION: Our findings revealed that the L. album extracts can induce apoptosis and might modulate cytotoxicity by down regulating ZNF703 gene expression in AGS cells. Therefore, this extract could be a good candidate for inhibiting cancer cell growth, especially that of gastric cancer. In addition, ZNF703 may have potential as a therapeutic target.