Effect of anticancer peptide A38 on apoptosis in SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cells

Objective:To investigate the in vitro inhibitory effect of an anticancer peptide(A38,obtained by a computer-aided drug design) alone and in combination with cisplatin on early apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells,human gastric cancer cell line.Methods: Cultured cells were exposed to various concentrations of A38 or cisplatin alone,or A38 in combination with cisplatin for 24,48 and 72 h.The inhibition rate was determined by MTT assay.Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results: After treatment with A38 alone,cisplatin alone or A38 in combination with cisplatin,SGC-7901 cell growth was significantly increased as compared to control at various time-points and concentrations.Flow cytometry results showed a significant increase in early apoptosis rate at 24,48 and 72 h as well.The combination was more effective for both cell growth and apoptosis(P0.01).Conclusion: A38 can inhibit growth of the human gastric cell line SGC-7901 cells and induce cell early apoptosis.A synergistic effect is achieved when low concentration cisplatin is combined with A38,showing a more significant inhibition than high concentrations of A38 alone or cisplatin alone.