The Mechanism of Safrole-Induced [Ca²⁺]i Rises and Non-Ca²⁺-Triggered Cell Death in SCM1 Human Gastric Cancer Cells.

Safrole is a carcinogen found in plants. The effect of safrole on cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentrations (Ca²⁺) and viability in SCM1 human gastric cancer cells was explored. The Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was applied to measure Ca²⁺. Safrole at concentrations of 150-450 μM induced a Ca²⁺ rise in a concentration-dependent manner. The response was reduced by 60% by removing extracellular Ca²⁺. Safrole-evoked Ca²⁺ entry was not altered by nifedipine, econazole, SKF96365, and protein kinase C activator or inhibitor. In Ca²⁺-free medium, treatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ pump inhibitor thapsigargin or 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ) abolished safrole-evoked Ca²⁺ rises. Conversely, treatment with safrole abolished thapsigargin or BHQ-evoked Ca²⁺ rises. Inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) with U73122 abolished safrole-induced Ca²⁺ rises. At 250-550 μM, safrole decreased cell viability concentration-dependently, which was not reversed by chelating cytosolic Ca²⁺ with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid/acetoxy methyl (BAPTA/AM). Annexin V/propidium iodide staining data suggest that safrole (350-550 μM) induced apoptosis concentration-dependently. These studies suggest that in SCM1 human gastric cancer cells, safrole induced Ca²⁺ rises by inducing PLC-dependent Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca²⁺ influx via non-store-operated Ca²⁺ entry pathways. Safrole-induced cell death may involve apoptosis.