Abstract: Objective:To investigate the regulatory effect of genipin (GP) on the gastric cancer SGC 7901 cells, and to clarify its mechanism. Methods:The SGC 7901 cells in logarithmic growth phase were selected and divided into control group and different concentrations (5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mg·L^-1) of GP groups.MTT was used to detect the inhibitory rates of proliferation of SGC 7901 cells at different time points(24, 48, and 72 h).Transwell chamber cell invasion assay was used to detect the invasion ability of SGC 7901 cells in vitro.The expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 proteins in the SGC 7901 cells were detected by Western blotting method. Results:The results of MTT assay showed that the inhibitory rates of proliferation of the cells in different concentrations of GP groups after treated with GP for different time were increased significantly compared with control group(P<0.01).The Transwell cell invasion assay results showed that compared with control group,the number of transmembrane cells in 10.0 and 20.0 mg·L^-1 GP groups was decreased significantly after treated for 72 h(P<0.01).The results of Western blotting method showed that compared with control group,the expression level of Bcl-2 protein in 20.0 mg·L^-1 GP group was decreased after treated for 72 h(P<0.01),and the expression levels of caspase-3 and Bax proteins were increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:GP can inhibit the abilities of proliferation and invasion in vitro of SGC 7901 cells, and induce the apoptosis;its mechanism may be related to the regulation of Bcl-2, caspase-3, and Bax protein expressions.

Key words: genipin, SGC 7901 cells, cell proliferation, cell invasion, apoptosis, apoptosis related proteins