Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanisms of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines MGC-803. Method: MGC-803 cells in logarithmic growth phase were treated with different doses of EGCG (25

50

100 μmol·L-1)

and another blank group was established. After 48 h cells culturing

methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the proliferation of cells

and the apoptosis of cells was determined by flow cytometric analysis. The protein expression levels of p-p38

p38

Bax

Bcl-2

and Cleavage-Caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. Result: As compared with the blank grouo

EGCG treatment could induce the proliferation of MGC-803 cells and inhibit their apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner

significantly up-regulate the protein expression levels of Cleavage-Caspase-3 and Bax

and significantly down-regulate the protein expression levels of p-p38 and Bcl-2

with statistically significant differences (P<0.05

P<0.01)

but EGCG had no obvious effects on the expression of p38. Conclusion: EGCG can induce proliferation of MGC-803 cells and inhibit their apoptosis by suppressing p38 signaling activation.