Ethanol Extract of Eryngium Foetidum Leaves Induces Mitochondrial Associated Apoptosis via ROS Generation in Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: Eryngium foetidum has long been used as a food ingredient and folk medicine in tropical regions. The anticancer activity of EF extract and the mechanisms remains unclear. Herein, we prepared four solvent extracts of EF leaves, detected the cytotoxic effects, and explored the potential mechanism by which these extracts induce cell death. Methods: The anticancer activity of the EF extracts was measured by MTT, CCK-8 and BrdU assays. The cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry and western blot. Apoptotic events were investigated with Hoechst, Annexin V/PI assays and western blot. The mitochondrial membrane potential was monitored using JC-1 staining, and ROS production was assessed with immunofluorescence. Results: The ethanol extract of EF leaves exhibited the strongest cytotoxic effect against SGC-7901 cells. The EFE extract significantly inhibited the SGC-7901 cells viability, arrested the cell cycle, increased the numbers of apoptotic cells, caused the loss of MMP, increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and led to cytochrome c release, and triggered ROS production. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated for the first time that EFE extract induces mitochondrial associated apoptosis via ROS generation in SGC-7901 cells. Thus, EFE extract could be identified as a potential edible phytotherapy for the treatment of human gastric cancer.

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by Natural Science Foundation of Hainan Province, China (No. 821RC575) and Hainan Medical University Cultivation Foundation, China (No. HYPY201903).

Notes on contributors

Xian Zhang

Huange Zhao: designed experiments, analyzed experimental results and interpretation. Xian Zhang: carried out most of experiments, with assistant from Jing Chen. Huange Zhao and Songlin Zhou analyzed data and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Jing Chen

Huange Zhao: designed experiments, analyzed experimental results and interpretation. Xian Zhang: carried out most of experiments, with assistant from Jing Chen. Huange Zhao and Songlin Zhou analyzed data and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Songlin Zhou

Huange Zhao: designed experiments, analyzed experimental results and interpretation. Xian Zhang: carried out most of experiments, with assistant from Jing Chen. Huange Zhao and Songlin Zhou analyzed data and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Huange Zhao

Huange Zhao: designed experiments, analyzed experimental results and interpretation. Xian Zhang: carried out most of experiments, with assistant from Jing Chen. Huange Zhao and Songlin Zhou analyzed data and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.