Sensitization effect of ginsenoside-Rh2 on the apoptosis of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 side population cells induced by low concentration of oxaliplatin

Objective: To explore the effects of ginsenoside-Rh2(GS-Rh2) on the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells treated with oxaliplatin(L-OHP).Methods: The side population(SP) cells of human gastric cancers cell line SGC-7901 was screened using flow cytometry(FCM),the proliferation ability of SP cells was detected using CCK-8 kit.The half inhibition concentration(IC₅₀) of GS-Rh2 and L-OHP on SGC-7901 SP cells were detected using MTT assay.The changes of cell cycle and apoptosis rate of SP cells intervened by GS-Rh2 combined with low concentration of L-OHP were detected using FCM,and the level changes of Bax and Bcl-2 protein in SP cells intervened by GS-Rh2 combined with L-OHP were measured using Western-blotting.Results: The proliferation capacity of SGC-7901 SP cells was significantly higher than that of non side population(P<0.01).GS-Rh2 could enhance the sensitivity of the L-OHP on SGC-7901-SP cells,block the cell cycle in G₁ phase(P>0.05).The protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 increased and decreased,respectively(P<0.01),which was negatively correlated with the GS-Rh2 concentration(P<0.05).Conclusions: With the increasing of GS-Rh2 concentration,the GS-Rh2 gradually increases the sensitivity of L-OHP on SGC-7901 SP cells.GS-Rh2 can be acted as a sensitizer of anti-gastric cancer drug.