Objective: To investigate the effects of Celastrus orbiculatus extract (COE) on apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma MGC-803 cells in which the tumor suppressor gene

maspin

is overexpressed. Method: The growth rates of maspin-overexpressed human gastric carcinoma MGC-803 cells treated with different concentrations of COE (20

40

80

160

320 mg · L-1) for 24 and 48 h were measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis of MGC-803 cells treated with different concentrations of COE (0

20

40

80 mg · L-1) and 5-FU (32 mg · L-1) for 24 h was examined according to the Tunel Apoptosis Assay Kit. The protein expressions of maspin

Bcl-2

Bcl-2L12 and Bax were detected by using Western blot. Result: COE (20

40

80

160

320 mg · L-1) suppressed the proliferation of maspin-overexpressed human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. After being treated with COE (20

40

80 mg · L-1) for 24 h

reduction of cell number

morphology being round

cytoplasmic concentration and apoptotic bodies were observed gradually with the growing of the concentration. Tunel assay showed that COE (20

40

80 mg · L-1) could promote apoptosis of cells. Western blot showed that COE (20

40

80

160 mg · L-1) increased the expression of maspin and decreased expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2L12 in a concertration-dependent manner. Conclusion: COE could induce the apoptosis of human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells in which maspin gene is overexpressed

the mechanisms may be related to regulating the expressions of Bcl-2

Bcl-2L12 and maspin.