Anticancer effects of zapotin flavone in human gastric carcinoma cells are mediated via targeting m-TOR/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway

The current study aims to investigate the anticancer ef-fects of zapotin flavone in human gastric carcinoma cells. MTT assay was performed to determine the cyto-toxicity effects of zapotin against the gastric cancer cells (SNU-1) and normal gastric cells (GES-1). SNU-1 cell mor-phology was analyzed through phase-contrast microsco-py. Apoptosis was identified through DAPI staining assay and quantified through annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. The effects on cell migration and invasion were carried out through transwell assay. Apoptosis and m-TOR/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway related proteins were analysed through western blotting. Proliferation rate of gastric cancer SNU-1 cell line declined with enhanced zapotin concentrations in comparison to normal GES-1 cells. Substantial morphological changes after zapotin exposure, including nuclear condensation and mem-brane rupture was observed. Further, increasing number of apoptotic cells, suppression of both cell migration and invasion was observed with increased zapotin concen-trations. Finally, western blotting indicated significant blocking of m-TOR/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. We conclude that zapotin can act as a potential drug against the gastric cancer.