Compound TDB (Tricyclic decyl benzoxazole) induces autophagy-dependent apoptosis in the gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR.

OBJECTIVE

Gastric cancer is a potential malignant tumor. Extensive research has shown that apoptosis and autophagy are important mechanisms of cancer pathogenesis. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of TDB in apoptosis and autophagy in MGC-803 cells.

METHODS

In cell experiments, the proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy of MGC-803 cells were evaluated by the MTT assay, TUNEL, flow cytometry, MDC, and TEM. Through molecular experiments, the TDB-induced apoptosis and autophagy effects were evaluated by examining the levels of Cleaved-PARP/PARP, Cleaved-caspase3/procaspase3, Beclin-1, p62 and the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I. At the animal level, the anti-tumor effect of TDB was evaluated by assessing tumor volume and bioluminescence value.

RESULTS

Regarding mechanism, TDB induces apoptosis and autophagy through PI3K/AKT/mTOR. At the same time, more importantly, TDB promotes 3-methyladenine or autophagy activator rapamycin-mediated. The induced proliferation inhibition and pro-apoptosis effect, which inhibit autophagy and induce an increase in apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

TDB may up-regulate PARP, Cleaved Caspase-3, Beclin1 and LC3B and down-regulate the expression of P62 and other apoptosis and autophagy genes through the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway signalling proteins, leading to autophagy-dependent apoptosis. At the animal level, TDB has good anti-tumor efficacy in vivo. In summary, TDB has potential anti-tumor efficacy and .