Growth inhibitory effects of gastric cancer cells with an increase in S phase and alkaline phosphatase activity repression by aloe-emodin

Aloe-emodin is a novel active compound found in the root and rhizome of Rheum palmatum. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of aloe-emodin on human gastric cancer, MGC-803 cells were treated with 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mu M aloe-emodin for 1-5 d. The results showed that aloe-emodin inhibited the growth of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner with an increase in S phase and in the proportion of cells cycling at a higher ploidy level (>G(2)/M). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase ( ALP) activity, an indicator of cell differentiation, was found decreased. This is one of the first to focus on the effect of ALP activity in human gastric carcinomas cells treated by aloe-emodin. These results indicate that aloe-emodin has a potential value for the treatment of gastric cancer and its mechanisms are by means of cell cycle interruption and induce differentiation.