Inhibition Effects of Celery Seed Extract on Human Stomach Cancer Cell Lines Hs746T

The inhibition of tumor cell growth without toxicity in normal cells has attracted attention as an important target in cancer therapy. As a food and drug, Celery Seed Extract (CSE) has been shown its anti-tumour effect by inhibition of tumor promotion and inducement of tumor cell apoptosis, but its mechanism and relation with the expression of gap junction protein is still not well known. The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between inhibition of expression of gap junction protein Connexin 43 (Cx43) and anti-tumor effect of CSE on human stomach cancer cell lines Hs746T. Methods: The human stomach cancer cell line Hs746T was used in the study. The effects of CSE on Connexin 43 were examined by RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence; cell growth and proliferation was examined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; cell apoptosis was determined by apoptosis related protein bcl-2 and bax. Results: CSE inhibited the growth and proliferation on Hs746T; CSE increased the expression of Cx43 mRNA and protein; CSE decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bax on Hs746T cells. Conclusion: This study firstly shows that CSE can increase Cx43 expression in mRNA and protein level, and exerts its anti-tumour effects on stomach cancer Hs746T cells via inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis.