NEH inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. (a–c) CCK-8 assay performed to show the inhibitory effect of different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml) of NEH on the proliferation of BGC-823 (a), HGC-27 (b), and GES-1 (c) cells. (d) Western blot analysis detected the main factors in the S phase and G2/M phase: CDK2, cyclin A2, and cyclin D1. The data in (e) was presented as the mean ± SEM. ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗∗P < 0.001, compared with the control group. (f, g) A wound healing assay investigated the effects of NEH on the migration of BGC-823 (f) and HGC-27 (g) cells. (h-i) Transwell assay on the effects of NEH on the invasion of BGC-823 and HGC-27 cells. Representative photographs show 48 h after drug administration. ∗∗∗P < 0.001, compared with the control group.