目的 研究没食子酸(gallic acid，GA)体外诱导人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞凋亡及其作用机制。方法 体外培养人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞，噻唑蓝(MTT)法观察细胞增殖；Hoechst-33258、AnnexinV-FITC/PI检测细胞凋亡情况；逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)法研究凋亡抑制基因Survivin mRNA的变化。结果 6.25～50 μmol·L-1 GA可抑制SMMC-7721细胞的生长，并呈剂量依赖性；不同剂量的GA作用48 h后，SMMC-7721细胞出现明显的凋亡形态，细胞凋亡率有显著的剂量依赖性。RT-PCR法检测结果显示，GA能明显抑制肝癌细胞中Survivin mRNA的表达。结论 GA可抑制人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的增殖，这可能与下调凋亡抑制基因Survivin有关。

Objective To investigate the inhibition of gallic acid(GA) on growth of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro and to explore its potential mechanism. Methods SMMC-7721 cells were cultured in vitro. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay was used to observe the growth of SMMC-7721 cells. Apoptosis of the cells was analyzed by Hoechest-33258 staining. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was used to quantify the percentages of apoptotic cell in the total cell population. Survivin mRNA expression was investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results The results of MTT assay showed that 6.25～50 μmol·L-1 of GA could significantly inhibit the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells in dose-dependent manner. Hoechest-33258 staining results presented obvious apoptotic morphology of SMMC-7721 cells treated with GA at various concentrations for 48 h. The results of Annexin V-FITC/PI double-staining indicated that the apoptotic rate increased significantly with GA in dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR results showed that the expression of Survivin mRNA declined in GA groups. Conclusion GA can inhibit the growth of human gastric cancer cells and induce cells apoptosis. Its mechanism may be associated with down-regulating survivin mRNA expression.

国家科技部973计划中医理论专项课题(2006CB504807)；国家自然科学基金项目(30973742,81273717)；国家自然科学青年基金项目(81102563)；教育部博导课题(20113237110001)。