Effect of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract on Bcl_2 and Bax Genes Expression in Gastric Cancerous Cell Line (AGS)

Gastric cancer is second leading cause of cancer related death in the world. Use of herbal drugs because of having fewer side effects is of importance. The anticancer effects of catechin polyphenols in green tea have key role in promoting cancer cells to apoptosis. The aim of this study is to determine the changes in the expression rate of Bax and Bcl_2 genes in AGS cells after treatment with green tea extract.

Concentrations of 800, 1200, 2000  μg /ml of Green Tea extraction were treated in AGS cells as two groups 48 and 72 hours. Extraction of  RNA, synthesis of cDNA and the study of genes expression was performed by Real time PCR and also GAPDH gene was used as reference gene.

The results of Real time PCR data analysis by 2- Ct method shows significant increase expression rate of  Bax / Bcl_2 genes in doses of 800, 1200 and 2000 μg / ml for times of 48 and 72 hours.

Green tea is the reason of increasing Bax/Bcl_2 ratio which it is dependent to concentration and time, and it can lead cancerous cell to programed cell death. This extract can be useful in the treatment of gastric cancer for patients with this cancer. To clarify the effective molecules and their mechanisms, further studies are undertaken on animal models and humans.