Panaxadiol Arrests Cell Cycle by Elevating $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$

We show that panaxadiol (PD), a ginseng saponin with a dammarane skeleton, selectively interferes with the cell cycle in human cancer cell lines. PD inhibited DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values ranging from 0.8 $\mu$M-1.2 $\mu$M in SK-HEP-1 cells and HeLa cells. PD-treated cells were arrested at G1/S phase, shich coincided well with decreases in Cyclin A-Cdk2 activity, but not in Cyclin E-Cdk2 and Cdc2 activities. The intracellular levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ were significantly and selectively elevated in a dose and time-dependent manners in PD-treated HeLa cells. (omitted)