N-Butanol Extract of Capparis spinosa L. Induces Apoptosis Primarily Through a Mitochondrial Pathway Involving mPTP Open, Cytochrome C Release and Caspase Activation

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Capparis spinosa L., a Uygur medicine, had been shown to have anti-tumor activity in our earlyexperiments with an N-butanol extract (CSBE) as its active fraction. However, the mechanisms responsible forits effects are not clearly understood. Here, we report that treatment of SGC-7901 cells with CSBE resulted indose-dependent reduction of cell viability and induction of apoptosis. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: To observe theinhibitory and killing effects of CSBE on SGC-7901, the SRB method was adopted, apoptosis being observedby electron microscopy. To clarify the mechanisms of apoptosis, Western blot and enzyme-labeled methodswere used to examine the release of cytochrome c (Cyt c) and the activation of the caspase cascade. <br/><b>Results</b>: Byelectron microscopy, apoptotic morphologic changes were detectable after CSBE administration. In this study, itwas also demonstrated that CSBE induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells by inhibiting mPTP open, mitochondrialcytochrome c release, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: The findings indicated that CSBE inducesaap optosis through mitochondrial pathway.