Ergosterol reverses multidrug resistance in SGC7901/Adr cells.Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle in the chemotherapeutic treatment of tumors.  In this study, the reversal effect of ergosterol (Erg) on SGC7901/Adr cells was investigated.  At concentrations of 1 microM and 5 microM, Erg could reverse the resistance of SGC7901/Adr to adriamycin up to 4.84 and 3.92 folds, respectively.  Mechanistically, Erg could increase the intracellular accumulation of adriamycin and Rh123 in SGC7901/Adr cells through inhibiting the transcription of MDR1 gene and down-regulating the expression of P-gp.  In conclusion, Erg could reverse the MDR of SGC7901/Adr cells via its influence on P-gp expression and thus be a promising lead compound for future studies.
SGC7901/Adr
Ergosterol reverses multidrug resistance in SGC7901/Adr cells.Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle in the chemotherapeutic treatment of tumors.  In this study, the reversal effect of ergosterol (Erg) on SGC7901/Adr cells was investigated. 
Ergosterol
Elevated expression of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter is associated with MDR and responsible for the resistance of tumor cells against a variety of anticancer drugs. 
P-glycoprotein (P-gp)
Mechanistically, Erg could increase the intracellular accumulation of adriamycin and Rh123 in SGC7901/Adr cells through inhibiting the transcription of MDR1 gene and down-regulating the expression of P-gp. 
MDR1 gene
Mechanistically, Erg could increase the intracellular accumulation of adriamycin and Rh123 in SGC7901/Adr cells through inhibiting the transcription of MDR1 gene and down-regulating the expression of P-gp. 
Rh123