Induction of apoptosis in human leukemia K-562 and gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells by salvicine, a novel anticancer compound

Salvicine (a novel diterpenoid quinone compound) exhibited a marked antitum or activity on human solid tumor cell lines and BALB/c-nu human carcinoma x enografts in our earlier studies, and it has been chosen as a candidate ant icarcinogenic compound in the preclinical research stage. The present study was undertaken in order to observe whether or not the antitumor effect of salvicine is associated with its ability to induce apoptosis. Our results s how that salvicine is capable of inhibiting cell proliferation and Inducing characteristic changes of apoptosis in both human leukemia K-562 and gastr ic carcinoma SGC-7901 cells. These effects are dose and time dependent. The results of this study strongly suggest that the antitumor effect of salvic ine is associated with its ability to induce apoptosis, Meanwhile, this stu dy also shows that the activity of salvicine against K-562 and SGC-7901 cel ls is similar with regards to both growth inhibition and apoptosis inductio n, further indicating that salvicine causes these particular effects on sol id tumor cells, [(C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.].