Effect of citric acid on p53 and p21 genes expression of the human gastric Adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS)

Gastric adenocarcinoma is the second leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. In this study, the effect of citric acid on p53 and p21 genes expression of the human gastric Adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS) examined. Citric acid is a naturally organic acid that considered as a physiological inhibitor of enzymes involved in glycolysis pathway to remove cancer cells.

AGS cells with different concentrations of citric acid (400, 800 and 1600 μg / ml) to examine the expression of genes P53 and p21 were incubated for 24 and 48 hours. Then, the expression of p53 and p21 genes were analyzed by Real Time PCR.

The results of this study indicate that treatment with citric acid increased the expression of p21 and p53 genes in the experimental groups compared to the control group. over expression of p53 gene at concentrations of 1600 and 800 μg / ml, respectively, was significant at 24 and 48 hours incubation times in dose and time independent manner . Expression of p21 gene at both incubation times was dose- and time dependent manner.

The results indicate that citric acid can reduce the growth of gastric adenocarcinoma cells by inducing expression of genes that involved in the apoptosis pathway and preventing proliferation. Therefore, citric acid seems to be used as an anticancer agent for the treatment of gastric cancer.