[Induction of apoptosis by tea polyphenols in MGC cells]

In order to search for tumor cells apoptosis inducer, the apoptosis effects and mechanism of tea polyphenols were studied. Tea polyphenols is an active compounds purified from tea. The apoptosis effects of tea polyphenols were observed on the human gastric carcinoma cells (MGC) by MTT reduction test, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique. Having been treated by tea polyphenols in 125 micrograms.ml-1 for 24 h, DNA extracted from MGC cells showed a typical internuclesosomal DNA degradation, i.e., DNA ladder and apoptotic vehicles were observed under TEM. The effects of tea polyphenols were shown to parallel with its cytotoxic activity in MGC cells. These results suggest that the mechanism of antitumor action of tea polyphenols is related to its apoptosis inducing activity.