• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.1423-1430
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• 2009

Rosmarinic acid frequently found as a secondary metabolite in herbs and medicinal plants, has exhibited antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. The proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) in response to activation by various stimuli plays a critical role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. This study was conducted to examine the effects of Rosmarinic acid on the proliferation and migration of HASMC. Rosmarinic acid suppressed the proliferation of HASMC via induction of the expression of apoptotic proteins including cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and caspase-3. Rosmarinic acid decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and increased pro-apoptotic Bax. Moreover, treatment of rosmarinic acid decreased the G1/S cycle regulation proteins (cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6) and increased p21, p27 and p53. Rosmarinic acid also blocked HASMC migration via suppression of MMP-9 and MMP-2. Taken together, these results indicate that rosmarinic acid has the potential for use as an anti-atherosclerosis agent.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.759-766
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• 2004

In the present study, we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of the healthful decoction utilizing Phellinus linteus (HDPL) on the cell growth of human lung carcinoma tumor cell line A549. Exposure of A549 cells to HDPL resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner as measured by hemocytometer counts, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometric analysis. This increase in apoptosis was associated with inhibition and/or degradation of apoptotic target proteins such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), b-catenin and phospholipase C- 1 (PLC- 1) protein. HDPL treatment induced the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, an anti-apoptotic gene, however, the level of Bax. a pro-apoptotic gene, was increased by HDPL treatment. In addition, HDPL-induced apoptotis of A549 cells was connected with activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 protease in a dose-dependent manner, however, the levels of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins family were remained unchanged. Taken together, these results indicated that the anti-proliferative effects of HDPL were associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death through regulation of several major growth regulatory gene products such as Bcl-2 family expression and caspase protease activity, and HDPL may have therapeutic potential in human lung cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.145-150
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• 2015

Continuous intra- and extracellular stresses induce disorder of $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and accumulation of unfolded protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which results in ER stress. Severe long-term ER stress triggers apoptosis signaling pathways, resulting in cell death. Neural epidermal growth factor-like like protein 2 (NELL2) has been reported to be important in protection of cells from cell death-inducing environments. In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect of NELL2 in the context of ER stress induced by thapsigargin, a strong ER stress inducer, in Cos7 cells. Overexpression of NELL2 prevented ER stress-mediated apoptosis by decreasing expression of ER stress-induced C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and increasing ER chaperones. In this context, expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL was increased by NELL2, whereas NELL2 decreased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, such as cleaved caspases 3 and 7. This anti-apoptotic effect of NELL2 is likely mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, because its inhibitor, U0126, inhibited effects of NELL2 on the expression of anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins and on the protection from ER stress-induced cell death.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.1548-1555
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• 2006

Bujeonghangam-tang(BHT) has been used as an anticancer agent in oriental medicine, but the mechanism by which it induces cell death in cancer cells is still unclear. To investigate cell death mechanism by BHT in cancer cells, the activities of apoptosis signaling pathway were tested in human neuroblastoma cell line LAN5. Viability of LAN5 cells was markedly decreased by treatment of the water extract of BHT in a dose-dependent manner. BHT induced cell death was confirmed as apoptosis characterized by chromatin condensation. We tested whether the water extract of BHT affects the anti-apoptotic protein such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, and the pro-apoptotic protein such as Bax. Both Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL were gradually decreased but Bas was increased in a time-dependent manner after the addition of the water extract of BHT. Cleavage of Bid by activation of caspase-8 protease was also observed in LAN-5 cells by the treatment of the water extract of BHT. Taken together, these results suggest that the water extract of BHT exerts anti-cancer effects on human neuroblastoma LAN-5 cells by inducing the apoptotic death via down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, up-regulation of pro-apoptotic protein such as Bax, and activation of intrinsic caspase cascades.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.87-98
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• 2014

Objectives : We investigated whether snake venom toxin(SVT) from Vipera lebetina turanica sensitizes HT29 human epithelial colorectal cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Methods : Cell viability assay was used to assess the inhibitory effect of TRAIL on cell growth of HT29 human colorectal cancer cells. And 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole(DAPI), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay(TUNEL) staining assay were used to evaluate cell-apoptosis. Western blot analysis were conducted to observe apoptosis related proteins and death receptor. To assess whether the synergized inhibitory effect of SVT and TRAIL on reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation was reversed by strong anti-oxidative agent. Results : SVT with TRAIL inhibited HT29 cell growth different from TRAIL alone. Consistent with cell growth inhibition, the expression of TRAIL receptors; Expression of death receptor(DR)4 and DR5 was significantly increased and intrinsic pro-apoptotic cleaved caspase-3, -9 was subsequently increased together with increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and extrinsic pro-apototic caspase-8 was also activated. In addition, the expression of anti-apoptotic survival proteins, a marker of TRAIL resistance(eg, cFLIP, survivin, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein(XIAP) and Bcl-2) was suppressed by the combination treatment of SVT and TRAIL. Pretreatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine abolished the SVT and TRAIL-induced upregulation of DR4 and DR5 expression and expression of the intrinsic pro-apoptotic caspase-3 and-9. Conclusion : The collective results suggest that SVT facilitates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in $HT_{29}$ human epithelial colorectal cancer cells through up-regulation of the TRAIL receptors; DR4 and DR5 and consecutive induction of bilateral apoptosis via regulating apoptosis related proteins.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.241-246
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 한국 전통 막걸리 중 하나인 한방 이화주의 주박으로부터 에탄올 추출물과 그것의 순차적인 유기용매 분획물을 획득하고, 이들 시료들이 인간 대장암 세포인 HCT116 세포주의 cell viability와 pro-apoptotic 유전자인 ATF-3와 NAG-1의 발현에 미치는 영향을 연구하였다. 처리된 유기용매 시료 가운데 KSD-E3-2 분획물 (hexane 분획물)과 KSD-E3-3 분획물 (ethyl acetate 분획물)의 처리에 의해 현저하게 세포생존율이 감소하였으며, 두 분획물에 의해 농도의존적으로 세포 생존율이 감소하였다. 또한, 두 분획물의 처리에 의해 pro-apoptotic 유전자인 NAG-1과 ATF-3의 유전자와 단백질의 발현이 증가함을 확인하였다. 특히, KSD-E3-3 분획물 0.1 mg/ml의 처리에 의해 NAG-1 단백질의 발현이 현저하게 증가하였으며, 또한 apoptosis의 지표인 PARP cleavage가 관찰되었다. 이러한 KSD-E3-3 분획물에 의해 유도된 apoptosis는 NAG-1 siRNA transfection에 의해 회복됨을 확인하였다. 따라서, KSD-E3-3 분획물에 의한 NAG-1 단백질의 발현증가와 apoptosis 간의 직접적인 관련성이 있음을 시사한다. 종합적으로 본 연구 결과는 한방이화주 주박에 함유된 생리활성물질의 암세포 항 성장 활성 및 apoptosis기전을 이해하는데 도움을 줄 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.565-583
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• 2011

Objectives : This study investigated the biochemical mechanisms of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of the water extract of Dan-Seon-Tang (DST) in human leukemia U937 cells. Methods : U937 cells were exposed to DST and growth inhibition was measured by MTT assay. Results : Exposure of U937 cells to DST resulted in the growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect was associated with morphological changes and apoptotic cell death such as formation of apoptotic bodies, increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase and induction of DNA fragmentation. The induction of apoptotic cell death in U937 cells by DST was associated with up-regulation of death receptor 4 (DR4) and down-regulation of Bid, surviving and cellular inhibition of apoptosis protein-2 (cIAP-2) expression. DST treatment also induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, and a concomitant degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), phospholipase (PLC)-${\gamma}1$, ${\beta}$-catenin and DNA fragmentation factor 45/inhibotor of caspase activated DNAse (DFF45/ICAD). Furthermore, apoptotic cell death by DST was significantly inhibited by caspase-3 specific inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk, demonstrating the important role of caspase-3. Conclusions : These findings suggest that herb prescription DST may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human leukemia U937 cells; further study is needed to identify the active compounds.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.75-85
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• 2014

Objectives : We investigated whether bee venom(BV) inhibit cell growth through enhancement of death receptor expressions in the human cervix cancer C33A cells. Methods : BV($1{\sim}5{\mu}g/ml$) inhibited the growth of cervix cancer C33A cells by the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Results : Consistent with apoptotic cell death, expression of Fas, death receptor(DR) 3, 4, 5 and 6 was increased concentration dependently in the cells. Moreover, Fas, DR3 and DR6 revealed more sensitivity to BV. Thus, We reconfirmed whether they actually play a critical role in anti-proliferation of cervix cancer C33A cells. Consecutively, expression of DR downstream pro-apoptotic proteins including caspase-8, -3, -9 was upregulated and Bax was concomitantly overwhelmed the expression of Bcl-2. NF-${\kappa}B$ were also inhibited by treatment with BV in C33A cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that BV could exert anti-tumor effect through induction of apoptotic cell death in human cervix cancer C33A cells via enhancement of death receptor expression, and that BV could be a promising agent for preventing and treating cervix cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.57-70
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• 2013

This study was to investigated the effects of the bee venom on inhibition of cell growth via upregulation of death receptor expression in the A549 human lung cancer cells. Bee venom(1-5 ${\mu}g$/ml) inhibited the growth of A549 lung cancer cells by the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Consistent with apoptotic cell death, expression of TNFR1, Fas, death receptors(DR) 3, 4 and 6 was increased in the cells. Expression of DR downstream pro-apoptotic proteins including caspase-3, -9 and Bax was concomitantly increased, but the expression of Bcl-2, NF-${\kappa}B$ were inhibited by treatment with bee venom in A549 cells. Moreover, deletion of DR3, DR4 by small interfering RNA significantly reversed bee venom-induced cell growth inhibitory effect, whereas Apo3L strengthened anti-proliferative effect of bee venom through enhancement of DR3 expression. These results suggest that bee venom should exert anti-tumor effect through induction of apoptotic cell death in lung cancer cells via enhancement of death receptor expression, and that bee venom could be a promising agent for preventing and treating lung cancer.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.815-822
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• 2012

Resveratrol 유도체의 일종으로 stilbene계열 물질인 piceatannol은 암세포의 증식을 억제하고 apoptosis를 유발하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 A549 인체 폐암세포를 대상으로 piceatannol에 의한 암세포 증식억제와 연관된 부가적인 기전연구를 실시하였다. 본 연구의 결과에서 piceatannol이 A549 세포에서 extrinsic 및 intrinsic pathway의 동시 활성을 통하여 apoptosis를 유발하였음을 Fas/FasL의 발현 증가와 caspase-8 및 -9의 활성증가로 확인하였다. 또한 piceatannol은 caspase-3의 활성을 증가시켰으며, caspase-3의 다양한 표적 단백질들의 발현 감소가 동반되었다. 아울러 piceatannol에 의한 apoptosis 유발 과정은 iNOS의 발현 감소에 의한 NO의 생성 억제와도 연관성이 있었다.