Detection of Anticancer Activity from the Root of Angelica gigas In Vitro

  • Ahn, Kyung-Seop (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, KIST, Department of Biology, Korea University) ;
  • Sim, Woong-Seop (Department of Biology, Korea University) ;
  • Kim, Ik-Hwan (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, KIST)
  • Published : 1995.04.01

Abstract

Anticancer activity of a fraction of the ethanol extract from the root of Korean angelica (Angelica gigas Nakai) was recognized in human cancer cell lines HeLa $S_3$, K-562, and Hep $G_2$. The extract blocked the phorbol ester-inducing megakaryocytic differentiation of K-562 cells, which indicated the modification of protein kinase C (PKC) activity. In vitro assay showed the activation of PKC by the extract. An effective fraction of the Angelica gigas extract, of which $R_f$ value was 0.64 in a thin layer chromatography, was a different component from those of European angelicas. The $ED_50$ value of the fraction was 8, 9, and $16\;\mu\textrm{m}/ml$ against HeLa $S_3\;Hep\;G_2$, and K-562 cells, respectively, while the fraction showed higher $ED_50$ values against normal cell lines.

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