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Baicalin extracted from Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis) induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells by regulating B cell lymphoma
(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein and activating caspase-3 and caspase-9.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of baicalin in human gastric cancer cells, including apoptosis-inducing
effects, and to investigate its underlying mechanisms of action.


METHODS
Cell proliferation and apoptosis assays were performed to investigate the anti-proliferation effects of baicalin in human gastric cancer BGC-823 and MGC-803 cells. Real time-quantitative
polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis were performed to elucidate the molecular
mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor properties of baicalin.


RESULTS
In BGC-823 and MGC-803 gastric cancer cells treated with 80, 120, and 160 μmol/L baicalin
for 48 h, a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay showed that
baicalin significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, while flow cytometric
analysis demonstrated that baicalin could induce apoptosis, also in a dose-dependent manner.
Moreover, baicalin up-regulated the expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, and B cell lymphoma
(Bcl-2)-associated X protein and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 at both the mRNA and
protein level.


CONCLUSION
Baicalin has potential as a therapeutic
agent for gastric cancer by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.