• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7747-7752
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• 2014

Kr$\ddot{u}$ppel-like factor 4 is a transcription factor which plays an important role in development and progression of various carcinomas. Curcumin characterized by excellent anti-cancer properties is regarded as a serviceable natural compound used in carcinoma therapy. This study aimed at exploring the impact of KLF4 overexpression in cooperation with curcumin on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 cells. Flow cytometry analysis, CCK-8 assays, transwell assays and Western blot results showed that KLF4 overexpression combined with curcumin had significant anti-proliferation, pro-apoptosis and anti-invasion effects on BGC-823 cells. We also found that KLF4 had synergistic effects with curcumin, better promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation and invasion of gastric carcinona cells. These results indicate that KLF4 could be used as a potential therapeutic target; curcumin could act as an auxiliary and provide a promising therapeutic strategy in stomach cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3569-3573
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• 2013

Aim: Pendulous monkshood root is traditionally used for the treatment of several inflammatory pathologies such as rheumatisms, wounds, pain and tumors in China. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities and the mechanism of crude ethanol extract of pendulous monkshood root (EPMR) were evaluated and investigated in vitro. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxic effects of EPMR on different tumor cell lines were determined by the MTT method. Cell apoptosis and cell nucleus morphology were assessed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Moreover, nitric oxide (NO) levels and intracellular oxidative stress in peritoneal macrophages were determined to further elucidate mechanisms of action. Results: The data showed that EPMR could produce significant dose-dependent toxicity on three kinds of tumor cells. Furthermore, EPMR displayed obvious anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced mouse peritoneal macrophages at the dosage of 4 - 200 ${\mu}g/mL$. The results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of Pendulous Monkshood Root on cancer and inflammatory diseases. Conclusion: Our results indicate that EPMR has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, suggesting that pendulous monkshood root may be a useful anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory reagent in the clinic.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3343-3352
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• 2014

Chemoprevention is an attempt to use nontoxic natural and synthetic substances or their mixtures to intervene the relatively early stages of carcinogenesis, before invasive characteristics are manifested. The consumption of fruits is well known to reduce the risk of human cancers. Although most fruits are available only on a seasonal basis, recent advances in food processing technologies have made it possible to extend the shelf life of fruits and fruit-products. Fruits can be preserved by applying different drying processes to reduce the moisture content. Different varieties of dried fruits are now sold in supermarkets, thereby making them readily accessible to consumers. Since oxidative stress and chronic inflammation play important roles in cancer development, dried fruits with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties hold promise for cancer chemoprevention. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive activities of dried fruits are largely attributed to their polyphenols and vitamins. Dried fruits contain adequate amounts of bioactive principles, such as anthocyanins, acetogenins, catechins, coumarins, phenolic acids, terpenes, xanthones, and others. Since numerous health beneficial phytochemicals in fruits are conserved even after processing, regular intake of dried fruits can help prevent cancer. This review addresses the chemopreventive potential of representative dried fruits and their active constituents.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.246-255
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• 2023

Genus Penicillium comprising the most important and extensively studied fungi has been well-known as a rich source of secondary metabolites. Our study aimed to analyze and investigate biological activities, including in vitro anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, of metabolites from a marine-derived fungus belonging to P. levitum. The chemical compounds in the culture broth of P. levitum strain N33.2 were extracted with ethyl acetate. Followingly, chemical analysis of the extract leaded to the isolation of three ergostane-type steroid components, namely cerevisterol (1), ergosterol peroxide (2), and (3β,5α,22E)-ergosta-6,8(14),22-triene-3,5-diol (3). Among these, (3) was the most potent cytotoxic against human cancer cell lines Hep-G2, A549 and MCF-7 with IC₅₀ values of 2.89, 18.51, and 16.47 ㎍/mL, respectively, while the compound (1) showed no significant effect against tested cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory properties of purified compounds were evaluated based on NO-production in LPS-induced murine RAW264.7 macrophages. As a result, tested compounds performed diverse inhibitory effects on NO production by the macrophages, with the most significant inhibition rate of 81.37±1.35% at 25 ㎍/mL by the compound (2). Interestingly, compounds (2) and (3) exhibited inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro assays. Our study brought out new data concerning the chemical properties and biological activities of isolated steroids from a P. levitum fungus.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2009

Lycopus lucid us Turcz is well known as traditional Chinese medicine, and it has been shown to exhibit antiinflammatory, -allergic and -oxidative effect. However, its anti-cancer properties have not been examined yet. In this study, we investigated the effect of the methanol extract of Lycopus lucid us Turcz on anti-cancer effect in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Treatment of Lycopus lucidus Turcz extract induced apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells was characterized with the changes in nuclear morphology; decrease of Bcl-2 and caspase-7 expression; and increase of cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP). Furthermore, treatment of Lycopus lucidus Turcz extract caused the down-regulation of cell cycle-related protein including, cdk4, cyclin D1 and E2F-1. These results suggest that Lycopus lucidus Turcz might have the therapeutic value against human breast cancer cells.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.302-310
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• 2008

In this study, potato kimchi was prepared by applying heat to raw potatoes, and then the physico-chemical properties and anti-cancer effects of the kimchi were analyzed. The texture results indicated the potato kimchi had very good hardness and springiness attributes. During th late storage period, total vitamin C content of the kimchi slowly increased. In addition, the potato kimchi had non-volatile organic acid changes that promoted early aging; however, after the complete aging period, it was comparatively similar to other types of kimchi. Using the methanol extracts of various kimchi samples, the potato kimchi(solid 100%) showed the highest anti-carcinogenic effects in terms of anti-tumor activity in tumor bearing Balb/c mice with sarcoma-180 cells. In addition, the effects of the methanol extracts on hepatic glutathione S-transferase content were $289.76\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $250.97\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $251.20\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $219.53\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, $183.79\;{\mu}mol/mg$ protein/min, for control kimchi, mul kimchi, and two potato kimchis [(solid 100%) and(solid 60%+kimchi juice 40%)], respectively. The in vivo anti-cancer effects of the potato kimchi were investigated using AGS human gastric adenocarcionoma cells and HT-29 human colon adenocarcionoma cells. Overall, an MTT assay revealed that the methanol extract of the potato kimchi showed the highest anti-carcinogenic effects.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2018

Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot is an edible green seaweed that belong to the Codiaceae family and has been used in Oriental medicine for the treatment of enterobiasis, dropsy, and dysuria. Methanol extract of codium fragile has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, although the anti-cancer effect on oral cancer has not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity and the mechanism of cell death by methanol extracts of Codium fragile (MeCF) on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Our data showed that MeCF inhibits cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and markedly induced apoptosis, as determined by the MTT assay, Live/Dead assay, and DAPI stain. In addition, MeCF induced the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase -3, -7, -9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP), and upregulated or downregulated the expression of mitochondrial-apoptosis factor, Bax(pro-apoptotic factor), and Bcl-2(anti-apoptotic factor). Futhermore, MeCF induced a cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase through suppressing the expression of the cell cycle cascade proteins, p21, CDK4, CyclinD1, and phospho-Rb. Taken together, these results indicated that MeCF inhibits cell growth, and this inhibition is mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways through cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, methanol extracts of Codium fragile can be provided as a novel chemotherapeutic drug due to its growth inhibition effects and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1501-1506
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• 2015

Gemcitabine is an anti-cancer drug with clinically uses in the treatment of various neoplasms, including breast, ovarian, non-small cell lung, pancreaticand cervical cancers, T-cell malignancies, germ cell tumours, and hepatocellular carcinomas. However, it has also been reported to have many adverse effects. Naturally occurring anti-mutagenic effects, especially those of plant origin, have recently become a subject of intensive research. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the anti-mutagenic effects of Salvia merjamie (Family: Lamiaceae) plant extracts against the mutagenic effects of gemcitabine. The anti-mutagenic properties of Salvia merjamie were tested in Inbred SWR/J male and female mice bone marrow cells. The mice were treated in four groups; a control group treated with 30 mg/kg body weight gemcitabine and three treatment groups, each with 30 mg/kg body weight gemcitabine together with, respectively, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight Salvia merjamie extract. Chromosomal aberration and mitotic index assays were performed with the results demonstrating that Salvia merjamie extract protects bone marrow cells in mice against gemcitabine induced mutagenicity. This information can be used for the development of a potential therapeutic anti-mutagenic agents.