Anthocyanins have been well characterized by various bioactive properties. In previous studies, Mulberry anthocyanins (MACs) have proven to prevent atherosclerosis and inhibit melanoma metastasis. Here, AGS cells demonstrated an increase in the distribution of hypodiploid phase (apoptotic peak) after treatment with MACs. Further investigation revealed that MACs exerted their influence by inducing intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis through p38/p53 and p38/c-jun signaling pathways. In addition, the caspase-related protein, such as caspase-3, was activated from pro-caspase to cleaved-caspase by treating MACs to AGS cells. We also used the experimental AGS gastric cancer xenograft model to verify the inhibitory effect of MACs. These findings suggest that, by targeting p38/p53 and the c-jun pathways, MACs suppressed cell survival and tumorigenesis, but induced apoptotic death in AGS cells. MACs can potentially prevent the growth of AGS cells for ineffective conventional chemotherapy of gastric carcinoma.
