Effects of resveratrol on the protein expression of survivin and cell apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of resveratrol on cell proliferation, apoptosis and protein expression of survivin in human gastric cancer (SGC7901) cell line. Methods: SGC7901 cell proliferation and G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle induced by resveratrol (treatment group) and phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (control group) were assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, protein expression of survivin was assessed by immunohistochemistry after treatment with resveratrol. Results: SGC7901 cell apoptosis rates were 0.00% and 3.45% in the control and treatment groups, respectively. Furthermore, cell cycles were significantly changed in the resveratrol group; for example, the proportion of the G0/G1 phase increased, whereas the proportion of the S and G2/M phases decreased. Survivin protein expression was significantly reduced (p<0.01) in the treatment group compared with that in the control group. Conclusion: Resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of SGC7901 cancer cells by inducing cell apoptosis and down-regulating survivin expression.