Myrrh induces the apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells through down-regulating cyclooxygenase-2 expression

Mengxue Sun,Ningsheng Liu,Jie Hua,Xiaopu He,Gaoshuang Liu,Peiyun Huang

doi:10.1042/bsr20192372

Mengxue Sun, Ningsheng Liu + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1042/bsr20192372

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Abstract

Objective: The present study is designed to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of myrrh on human gastric cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The gastric cancer cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining. Wound healing was performed to evaluate the effects of myrrh on the migration. COX-2, PCNA, Bcl-2, and Bax expressions were detected by Western blot analysis. A xenograft nude mice model of human gastric cancer was established to evaluate the anti-cancer effect of myrrh in vivo. Results: Myrrh significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, migration, and induced apoptosis in vitro as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo. In addition, myrrh inhibited the expression of PCNA, COX-2, and Bcl-2 as well as increased Bax expression in gastric cancer cells. Conclusion: Myrrh may inhibit the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, as well as induced their apoptosis by down-regulating the expression of COX-2.

Highlights

Gastric cancer (GC) is the most diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related death [1,2]
Commiphoramyrrha induces the apoptosis of human prostatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma cells [8–10]
Myrrh induced the apoptosis of BGC823 and SGC7901 cells

Summary

Introduction

Gastric cancer (GC) is the most diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related death [1,2]. Novel treatments for gastric cancer are still needed. A resinous exudate of Commiphora family [5], has long since being used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Numerous pharmacological studies have investigated its anti-inflammation mechanisms. Guggulsterone, a core functional extract from myrrh, inhibits GC tumor growth in animal models and enhances the chemo-sensitivity of breast cancer cells [6,7]. Commiphoramyrrha induces the apoptosis of human prostatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma cells [8–10]. The efficacy of myrrh in treating GC has not been studied. The present study is the first attempt to explore the effect of myrrh on the morphology of GC cells

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