Effects of Matrine on Proliferation/Apoptosis and bcl-2 Protein Expression of Human Gastric Cancer Cell Line NCI-N87

Objective:To investigate the effects of different concentrations of matrine on proliferation/apoptosis and bcl-2 protein expression of human gastric cancer cell line NCI-N87 cultured in vitro.Methods:The NCI-N87 cells were treated by matrine in different concentrations and variable durations.Cell growth and proliferation were observed using CCK-8 assay.Morphological changs of cell were observed with invert microscope.Flow cytometry was used to assay the effects of matrine on apoptosis and bcl-2 protein expression.Results:When the drug concentration was higher than 3.0mg/mL,the major effect was cell necrosis.Matrine in the concentrations from 0.5mg/mL to 2.0mg/mL could inhibit proliferation of NCI-N87 cells as revealed by CCK-8 assay.FCM detection showed matrine could induce apoptosis of NCI-N87 cel1.The apoptosis rate of NCI-N87 cell was significantly augmented and bcl-2 expressions decreased while the concentration and duration of matrine increased(P 0.05)respectively.Conclusion:Matrine can efficiently inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of NCI-N87 cell,down-regulate bcl-2 protein expression which are the possible mechanisms for its anti-cancer effect.