beta-Elemene-induced autophagy protects human gastric cancer cells from undergoing apoptosis

beta-Elemene, a compound found in an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, has shown promising anti-cancer effects against a broad spectrum of tumors. The mechanism by which beta-elemene kills cells remains unclear.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the anti-tumor effect of beta-elemene on human gastric cancer cells and the molecular mechanism involved.

Results: beta-Elemene inhibited the viability of human gastric cancer MGC803 and SGC7901 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The suppression of cell viability was due to the induction of apoptosis.

A robust autophagy was observed in the cells treated with beta-elemene; it was characterized by the increase of punctate LC3 dots, the cellular morphology, and the increased levels of LC3-II protein. Further study showed that beta-elemene treatment up-regulated Atg5-Atg12 conjugated protein but had little effect on other autophagy-related proteins.

PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K1 activity was inhibited by beta-elemene. Knockdown of Beclin 1 with small interfering RNA, or co-treatment with the autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine or chlorochine enhanced significantly the antitumor effects of beta-elemene.

Conclusions: Our data provides the first evidence that beta-elemene induces protective autophagy and prevents human gastric cancer cells from undergoing apoptosis.

A combination of beta-elemene with autophagy inhibitor might thus be a useful therapeutic option for advanced gastric cancer.

Author: Jing LiuYe ZhangJinglei QuLing XuKezuo HouJingdong ZhangXiujuan QuYunpeng Liu
Credits/Source: BMC Cancer 2011, 11:183

Published on: 2011-05-20

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