Allicin enhances antitumor activity of gliomas cells line U87 to TRAIL

Objective To explore whether allicin can increase the sensitivity of glioma cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis and its mechanism. Methods The effect of allicin combined with TRAIL on cell viability and cell apoptosis of U87 was detected by MTT assay and Annexin V/FITC assay, respectively. The invasive potential of allicin combined with TRAIL to U87 cells was further detected by Transwell experiment, and Western-blot, RT-PCR and Q-RTPCR were used to detect the expression of genes and proteins in allicin combined with TRAIL. Results The synergistic treatment significantly reduced cells viability and invasive activity, while promoted apoptosis in the tested U87 cells. At the molecule level, the synergistic treatment significantly increased the activation of DR4, DR5, caspase-3 and caspase-8, while the expression of AKT, pFKHR, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was significantly inhibited. Conclusion It suggests that allicin can increase the sensitivity of U87 to TRAIL, thus enhancing the apoptosis of U87.