Embelin induces apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma through inhibition of p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Embelin is a small-molecule inhibitor of X‑linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), and it induces apoptosis in tumor cells via the inhibition of XIAP. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anticancer effect of embelin on human gastric carcinoma cells and the mechanisms underlying this effect. Cell proliferation of SGC7901 human gastric carcinoma cells was measured using MTT assay, following treatment with embelin (5, 10 and 15 µM) on days 1, 3 and 5. Caspase‑3 and nuclear factor (NF)‑κB p65 activation in SGC7901 cells were assessed using commercial kits. Cellular and nuclear apoptosis were analyzed with an Annexin V‑FITC/PI Apoptosis Detection kit and DAPI staining assay, respectively. Phospho (p)‑p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK), p‑inhibitor of NF‑κB (p‑IκBα) and p‑IκB kinase α/β (p‑IKKα/β) protein expression levels were analyzed with western blot assay. In the present study, treatment with embelin decreased cell proliferation, induced caspase‑3 activation and suppressed NF‑κB p65 activation in SGC7901 cells. Furthermore, embelin administration reduced p‑IκBα and p‑IKKα/β protein expression levels. In conclusion, embelin induces cell apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma through activation of p38 MAPK and inhibition of the NF‑κB signaling pathways. It was further suggested that embelin may be used as a potential drug for the treatment of gastric carcinoma.