Caragaphenol a induces reactive oxygen species related apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells.

Caragaphenol A (CAA) is a novel resveratrol trimer isolated from the roots of Caraganastenophylla. However, the biological activity of CAA is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer effects of CAA on gastric cancer cells. CAA selectively inhibited cell growth of human gastric cancer cells. Moreover, CAA potently induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and apoptosis with the increased intracellular reactive oxidative species (ROS) level. Inhibition of ROS could partially rescue CAA-induced cell apoptosis. Additionally, DNA is not the target of CAA. CAA in combination with DDP or 5FU synergistically inhibited the growth of human gastric cancer cells. Altogether, our study provides the evidence for the potential therapeutic application of CAA on human gastric cancer.