• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1485-1492
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• 2015

Makgeolli is a traditional wine in Korea and has been traditionally believed to exhibit health benefits. However, the inhibitory effect of dealcoholized makgeolli (MK) on cancer has never been investigated scientifically. In this study, MK exhibited an anti-angiogenic effect by inhibiting tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, without cytotoxicity. Treatment with MK reduced the proliferation of AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner and increased the sub-G1 population. Next, we evaluated whether MK could induce apoptosis in AGS cells by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay or Annexin V method. Treatment with MK at 500 and 1,000 μg/ml increased the number of TUNEL-positive AGS cells. Under the same conditions, MK-treated (500 and 1,000 μg/ml) cells showed significant induction of early or late apoptosis, compared with untreated cells (no induction). In addition, MK also induced phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression in AGS cells. However, p53 expression in AGS cells was not changed by MK treatment. Furthermore, MK at 500 mg/kg·d reduced the tumor size and volume in AGS tumor xenografts. Taken together, MK may be useful for the prevention of cancer cell growth.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.127-140
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• 2011

Objectives : The research was conducted to confirm the effect of Acanthopanax senticosus harms(ASH) on the anti-tumor activities in AGS human gastric cancer cells. Methods : To examine the potential anti-tumor effect of ASH, we performed many experiments. After processing AGS cancer cells with varying concentrations 80% ethanol ASH extract, analyses by MTT, flow cytometer(FACS) and western blot were used. Results : AGS cancer cells showed decreased cell proliferation and increased contents of S phase when treated with ASH. Moreover, the Western blot experiment showed that ASH affected S phase cell cycle-related molecules(Cyclin A, p21 and p16) in AGS cells. ASH also inhibited EGFR-STAT3 pathway in AGS human gastric cancer cells. Conclusion : Based on these results, we observed that ASH arrested the cell cycle at S phase and inhibited the phosphorylation of EGFR and STAT3 proteins which reduce the cell cycle and the manifestation of the genes that are related to inhibiting cell growth in AGS cells. It can be concluded that ASH can be used in developing medicine for gastric cancer.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2017

Gamma (${\gamma}$)-oryzanol is a substance abundant in rice, which is widely cultivated in Asian countries. In this study, we evaluated the effect of ${\gamma}$-oryzanol treatment on proliferation and apoptosis of AGS human gastric carcinoma cells. AGS cells were treated with ${\gamma}$-oryzanol for 72 h in a dose dependent manner. Treatment of ${\gamma}$-oryzanol (50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$) resulted in decreased AGS cell proliferation and increased number of cells in the sub-G1 population. Additionally, apoptotic cells were investigated by annexin V staining and mitochondrial membrane potential assays. Our results indicated that ${\gamma}$-oryzanol treatment increased the number of annexin V-positive cells and depolarized cells. This demonstrated that ${\gamma}$-oryzanol is effective for the induction of apoptosis in AGS cells. We next examined the expression of promising anticancer drug target molecules, including PTEN and HSP90. We found that treatment of ${\gamma}$-oryzanol induced the expression of PTEN in AGS cells. Under the same treatment conditions, ${\gamma}$-oryzanol reduced the expression of HSP90 in AGS cells. These results suggest that ${\gamma}$-oryzanol-induced apoptosis was accompanied by changes in regulation of PTEN and HSP90 in AGS cells. Taken together, ${\gamma}$-oryzanol could be used as a functional substance for the prevention of gastric cancer.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of 18α-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18α-GA), a hydrolyzed metabolite of glycyrrhizin, in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Methods : We used human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, AGS cells. We examined cell death by MTT assay and caspase 3 and 9 assay with 18α-GA. To examine the inhibitory effects of 18α-GA, sub-G1 analysis was done the AGS cells after 24 hours with 18α-GA. Also, to investigate the inhibitory mechanisms of 18α-GA, mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were examined. Results : 1. 18α-GA inhibited the growth of AGS cells in a dose-dependent fashion. 2. Sub-G1 fractions were significantly and dose-dependently increased by 18α-GA. 3. 18α-GA increased the caspase 3 and 9 activities in AGS cells. 4. 18α-GA inhibited proliferation of AGS cells via the modulation of c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways, which results in the induction of apoptosis. 5. 18α-GA enhanced ROS accumulation in AGS cells. Conclusions : Our findings provide insight into unraveling the effects of 18α-GA in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and developing therapeutic agents against gastric cancer.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Sophorae Radix and the effects of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS). Method : We used human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, AGS cells. We examined cell death by MTT assay and caspase 3 assay with Sophorae Radix. To examine the inhibitory effects of Sophorae Radix, cell cycle (sub G1) analysis was done the AGS cells after three days with Sophorae Radix. The reversibility of Sophorae Radix was examined on one day to five days treatment with 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ Sophorae Radix. Result : Sophorae Radix inhibited the growth of AGS cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Also we showed that Sophorae Radix induced apoptosis in AGS cells by MTT assay, caspase 3 assay and sub-G1 analysis. Sophorae Radix combined with 5-FU markedly inhibited the growth of AGS cells compared to Sophorae Radix or 5-FU alone. After 3 days treatment of AGS cells with Sophorae Radix, the fraction of cells in sub-G1 phase was much higher than that of the control group. Conclusion : Our findings provide insight into unraveling the effects of Sophorae Radix in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and developing therapeutic agents against gastric cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1326-1331
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• 1999

In vitro anticancer effect of Chinese cabbage kimchi fractions was investigated by using human cancer cells, AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and HT 29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. The Chinese cabbage kimchi(fermented for 4 days at 15oC) was fractionated into 7 groups, methanol extract, hexane fraction(fr.), methanol soluble fr., dichloromethane fr., ethylacetate fr., butanol fr. and aqueous fr.. Chinese cabbage kimchi fractions inhibited the growth of AGS and HT 29 cancer cells as dose dependent. In particular, the dichloromethane fr. showed the highest inhibitory effect among other fractions. When the dichloromethane fr.(0.2mg/ml) was treated, the number of AGS and HT 29 survival cancer cells reduced to 12$\times$104/ml and 11$\times$104/ml compared to 166$\times$104/ml and 50$\times$104/ml of the controls, respectively. Chinese cabbage kimchi fractions also inhibited the DNA synthesis of the cancer cells. They inhibited the DNA synthesis of AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells more efficiently than that of HT 29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. These results indicate that Chinese cabbage kimchi fractions show in vitro anticancer activity and the dichloromethane fr. among them reveals the highest effect.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.100-104
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• 2021

trans-Cinnamaldehyde (TCA), as one of the active ingredients in cinnamon, has been reported to have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects as well as anti-cancer effects in several cancer cell lines. However, reports of TCA in gastric cancer are rare, and its mechanism is unclear. In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative effect of TCA and its mechanism in gastric cancer AGS cells. TCA dose-dependently inhibited the cell viability of AGS cells. Our results suggested that TCA induces apoptosis through changes in cell morphology. To elucidate its mechanism, we investigated the expression level of apoptosis-related proteins. TCA induced the expression of p53 and Bax proteins, and then increased the cleaved caspase 9 and cleaved PARP. These results indicated that TCA triggers apoptosis via p53 pathway in AGS cells. Our results suggested that TCA might be a new anticancer drug candidate for gastric cancer.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2013

Objective: Ulmi Pumilae Cortex (UPC) is a deciduous tree with uneven pinnate leaves and is classified as a subfamily of Ulmuceae and contains many pharmacologically active constituents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of UPC on the growth and survival of AGS cells, the most common human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines. Methods: The AGS cells were treated with varying concentrations of UPC. Analyses of the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were conducted to determine whether AGS cell death occured by apoptosis. Furthermore, to identify the role of the transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) 7 channels in AGS cell growth and survival, we used human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells overexpressed with TRPM7 channels. Results: The addition of UPC to a culture medium inhibited AGS cell growth and survival. Experimental results showed that the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were increased. Furthermore, TRPM7 channel overexpression in HEK 293 cells exacerbated UPC-induced cell death. Conclusion: These findings indicate that UPC inhibits the growth and survival of gastric cancer cells due to a blockade of the TRPM7 channel activity. Therefore, UPC is a potential drug for treatment of gastric cancer, and TRPM7 channels may play an important role in survival in cases of gastric cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2015

Magnesium sulfate is widely used as a food additive and as an orally administered medication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible cytotoxicity of magnesium sulfate on AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and gastric mucosa in mice. A trypan blue exclusion assay was used to determine the reduction in viability of AGS cells exposed to magnesium sulfate, and then effects on cell proliferation were quantified. The role of magnesium sulfate-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production in AGS cells was also investigated. mRNA expression for IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-${\alpha}$ was determined by RT-PCR, and secretion of these cytokines was measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemical evaluation of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ expression was conducted in mouse gastric mucosa. Addition of 3 to 50 mM magnesium sulfate to AGS cells inhibited both cell proliferation and cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Magnesium sulfate had little effect on production of IL-$1{\beta}$ or IL-6 but significantly inhibited production of IL-8. The animal model demonstrated that magnesium sulfate induced production of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$. These preliminary data suggest that magnesium sulfate had a direct effect on the stomach and initiates cytotoxicity in moderate concentrations and time periods by inhibiting viability a nd proliferation of AGS cells and by regulating expression and/or release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.26-32
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• 2015

Objectives: Rheum undulatum L. has traditionally been used for the treatment of many diseases in Asia. However, its anti-proliferative activity in cancer has still not been studied. In the present study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of methanol extract of Rheum undulatum L. (MERL) on human adenocarcinoma gastric cell lines (AGS). Methods: To investigate the anti-cancer effect of MERL on AGS cells, we treated the AGS cells with varying concentrations of MERL and performed 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Cell cycle analyses, measurements of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspase activity assays and Western blots were conducted to determine whether AGS cell death occurred by apoptosis. Results: Treatment with MERL significantly inhibited growth of AGS cells in a concentration dependent manner. MERL treatment in AGS cells leaded to increased accumulation of apoptotic sub G1 phase cells in a concentration dependent manner. In control cultures, 5.38% of the cells were in the sub G1 phase. In MERL treated cells, however, this percentage was significantly increased (9.95% at $70{\mu}g/mL$, 15.94% at $140{\mu}g/mL$, 26.56% at $210{\mu}g/mL$ and 38.08% at $280{\mu}g/mL$). MERL treatment induced the decreased expression of pro-caspase-8 and -9 in a concentration dependent manner, whereas the expression of the active form of caspase-3 was increased. A subsequent Western blot analysis revealed increased cleaved levels of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein. Also, treatment with MERL increased the activities of caspase-3 and -9 compared with the control. MERL treatment increased the levels of the pro-apoptotic truncated Bid (tBid) and Bcl2 Antagonist X (Bax) proteins and decreased the levels of the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein, whose is the stabilization of mitochondria. However, inhibitions of p38, extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERKs) and C-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) by MERL treatment did not affect cell death. Conclusion: These results suggest that MERL mediated cell death is associated with an intrinsic apoptotic pathway in AGS cells.