Triptolide induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells via inhibiting the overexpression of MDM2

Triptolide has been reported to exhibit antitumor effects in several cancers. This study investigates the mechanism by which triptolide induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Gastric biopsies were collected for histological evaluation and detection of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) expression. Gastric cancer cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of triptolide at indicated time points. The expression of MDM2, p53 protein, and target proteins including p21, PUMA, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) was detected. Apoptosis of cells treated with or without triptolide was evaluated. Our results showed that MDM2 protein was overexpressed in gastric cancer (p< 0.01, resp.). Triptolide induced significant apoptosis of gastric cancer cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner (p< 0.05). In addition, treatment with triptolide strongly inhibited the overexpression of MDM2 in gastric cancer cells, and this MDM2 inhibition led to increased levels of p53 protein and inhibition of XIAP (p< 0.05). However, triptolide failed to increase the expression of p53 target protein p21 and PUMA (p>0.05). In conclusion, triptolide may induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells via the inhibition of MDM2 overexpression in a p53-independent manner.