Gastric Cancer
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 15, 2003; 9(11): 2424-2427
Published online Nov 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i11.2424
Therapeutic mechanism of ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides on gastric cancer
Ai-Hua Xu, Hua-Sheng Chen, Bu-Chan Sun, Xiao-Ren Xiang, Yun-Fei Chu, Fan Zhai, Ling-Chang Jia
Ai-Hua Xu, Hua-Sheng Chen, Bu-Chan Sun, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China
Xiao-Ren Xiang, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Yun-Fei Chu, The First People Hospital of Yangzhou, Yangzhou 225002, Jiangsu Province, China
Fan Zhai, Ling-Chang Jia, Jiangsu Provincial Subei People Hospital, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Society Development Foundation of Jiangsu Province, No. BS 2000086
Correspondence to: Ai-Hua Xu, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu Province, China.yzxih@21cn.com
Telephone: +86-514-7310741 Fax: +86-514-7341733
Received: May 13, 2003
Revised: May 23, 2003
Accepted: June 2, 2003
Published online: November 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: To study the therapeutic mechanism of Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides (GBEP) on gastric cancer.

METHODS: Thirty patients with gastric cancer were treated with oral GBEP capsules. The area of tumors was measured by electron gastroscope before and after treatment, then the inhibitory and effective rates were calculated. The ultrastructures of tumor cells were examined by transmissional electron microscope. Cell culture, MTT, flow cytometry were performed to observe proliferation, apoptosis and changes of relevant gene expression of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.

RESULTS: Compared with the statement before treatment, GBEP capsules could reduce the area of tumors, and the effective rate was 73.4%. Ultrastructural changes of the cells indicated that GBEP could induce apoptosis and differentiation in tumor cells of patients with gastric cancer. GBEP could inhibit the growth of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells following 24-72 h treatment in vitro at 10-320 mg/L, which was dose- and time-dependent. GBEP was able to elevate the apoptosis rate and expression of c-fos gene, but reduce the expression of c-myc and bcl-2 genes also in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION: The therapeutic mechanism of GBEP on human gastric cancer may relate to its effects on the expression of c-myc, bcl-2 and c-fos genes, which can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis and differentiation of tumor cells.

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