Rhein induces apoptosis of AGS and MGC803 cells by regulating the Ras/PI3K/AKT and p38/MAPK signaling pathway

Abstract Objectives Rhein is one of the main bioactive compounds in the Polygonaceae plant, and has been proven to have anti-cancer activity in some reports. But the mechanism of Rhein in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC) is limited reported. In this research, network pharmacology combined with in vitro experiments was used for systematically studying the mechanism of Rhein. Methods Network pharmacology confirmed the major effect signaling pathway and key targets of Rhein in the treatment of GC. Cell viability assay, colony formation assay, fluorescence probe assay, apoptosis assay, western blot and qRT–PCR verified the mechanism of Rhein in the treatment of GC cells (AGS and MGC803 cells). Key findings The results showed that Rhein significantly induced the apoptosis process of AGS and MGC803 cells by regulating the Ras/phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and the p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. The AKT activator (SC79) and p38 inhibitor (SB202190) inhibited Rhein-induced apoptosis. Conclusions All results proved that Rhein could be recognized as a potential natural drug for the treatment of GC.