Lily extracts inhibit the proliferation of gastric carcinoma SGC‑7901 cells by affecting cell cycle progression and apoptosis via the upregulation of caspase‑3 and Fas proteins, and the downregulation of FasL protein

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of alkaloids and carbinol extracts from lily on the proliferation of SGC‑7901 cells, as well as the underlying mechanism. SGC‑7901 cells were incubated with different concentrations of alkaloid or carbinol extracts for 24, 48 or 72 h. MTT assays were used to measure the inhibition rate of SGC‑7901 cell proliferation. Inverted phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy was used to observe morphological changes of SGC‑7901 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle progression and apoptosis rates of SGC‑7901 cells. Western blotting was performed to measure the expression of caspase‑3, Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) proteins in SGC‑7901 cells. The inhibition rate of SGC‑7901 cell proliferation was significantly enhanced with increasing drug concentrations and time elapsed. Treatment with alkaloid or carbinol extracts deteriorated the morphology of SGC‑7901 cells in a dose‑dependent manner. Alkaloid and carbinol extracts arrested SGC‑7901 cells in the G2/M phase, and induced apoptosis in a dose‑dependent manner. Alkaloid and carbinol extracts enhanced caspase‑3, and Fas expression, but reduced FasL expression in SGC‑7901 cells. The present study demonstrated that alkaloids and carbinol extracts from lily inhibited the proliferation of gastric carcinoma SGC‑7901 cells by arresting cells in the G2/M phase. The upregulation of caspase‑3 and Fas proteins, and the downregulation of FasL protein may be an important mechanism for the induction of SGC‑7901 cell apoptosis.