• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.10
• /
• pp.1201-1211
• /
• 2018

The study compared the anti-aging, anti-adipogenesis, and anti-tumor effects of epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) in various cancer cell lines (SNU-601, MKN74, AGS, MCF-7, U87-MG, and A-549) and normal cell lines (MRC-5 fibroblasts, dental tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells [DSC], and 3T3-L1 pro-adipocytes). Half inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values were significantly (p<0.05) higher in normal cell lines (~50 uM), when compared to that in cancer cell lines (~10 uM). For anti-aging effects, MRC-5 and DSC were exposed to 10 uM EGCG for up to five passages that did not display any growth arrest. Population doubling time and senescence-related ${\beta}-galactosidase$ ($SA-{\beta}-gal$) activity in treated cells were similar to untreated cells. For anti-adipogenic effects, mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were induced to adipocytes in an adipogenic differentiation medium containing 10 uM EGCG, but adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells was not inhibited by EGCG treatment. For anti-tumor effects, the cancer cell lines were treated with 10 uM EGCG. PDT was significantly (p<0.05) increased in EGCG-treated SNU-601, AGS, MCF-7, and U87-MG cancer cell lines, except in MKN74 and A-549. The level of telomerase activity and cell migration capacity were significantly (p<0.05) reduced, while $SA-{\beta}-gal$ activity was highly up-regulated in EGCG treated-cancer cell lines, when compared to that in untreated cancer cell lines. Our results have demonstrated that EGCG treatment induces anti-tumor effects more efficiently as noted by decreased cell proliferation, cell migration, telomerase activity, and increased $SA-{\beta}-gal$ activity than inducing anti-aging and anti-adipogenesis. Therefore, EGCG at a specific concentration can be considered for a potential anti-tumor drug.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.53 no.8
• /
• pp.442-447
• /
• 2020

The non-viral delivery of genes into macrophages, known as hard-to-transfect cells, is a challenge. In this study, the microporation of a CpG-free and small plasmid (pCGfd-GFP) showed high transfection efficiency, sustainable transgene expression, and good cell viability in the transfections of Raw 264.7 and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages. The non-viral method using the pCGfd vector encoding anti-EGFR single-chain Fv fused with Fc (scFv-Fc) generated the macrophages secreting anti-EGFR scFv-Fc. These macrophages effectively phagocytized tumor cells expressing EGFR through the antibody-dependent mechanism, as was proved by experiments using EGFR-knockout tumor cells. Finally, peri-tumoral injections of anti-EGFR scFv-Fc-secreting macrophages were shown to inhibit tumor growth in the xenograft mouse model.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2022

Cordyceps militaris mycelium extracts containing high amounts of cordycepin were evaluated in vitro for their anti-inflammatory and tumor cell growth-inhibitory activities. All extracts dose dependently inhibited the increased production of inflammatory mediators including reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and 𝛽-hexosaminidase in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory cells. All extracts were evaluated for anti-proliferative activity against normal RBL-2H3 cells and diverse types of cancer cell lines, including HCT, MC5-7, U-87MG, AGS, and A549 cells. The extract showed the strongest growth inhibition (IC₅₀ = 28.13 ㎍/mL) relative to vehicle-treated control cells against fibrosarcoma (MC5-7). We have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity of C. militaris via inhibition of NO, ROS production, and 𝛽-hexosaminidase release in activated cells. C. militaris mycelium extract was also evaluated mechanistically and found to exert six types of anti-cancer activity, confirming its pharmacological potential. Our study suggests C. militaris use as a potential source of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. C. militaris may also be considered a functional food.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2021

Donggwaja (Benincasae Semen), the seed of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., has been used in Korean traditional medicine to control the body heat and water retention caused by various diseases. Both the symptoms targeted by the herbal medicine in clinic and studies with disease mouse models support the potential anti-inflammatory effect of Donggwaja. However, it is less understood how Donggwaja exerts its possible anti-inflammatory effect. Here, we present evidence that Donggwaja suppresses macrophage inflammatory reactions via expressing tumor necrosis factor a-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3 or A20) and suppressing NF-kB activity. The ethanol extract of Donggwaja (EED) showed no toxicity when added to RAW 264.7 cells less than 100mg/ml. When treating the cells for 16 h, EED significantly suppressed the nuclear localization of NF-kB, suggesting that EED suppresses NF-kB activity. Concordantly, a semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that EED decreased the expression of prototypic pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, IL(interleukin)-6, and IL-1b. EED induced in RAW 264.7 cells the expression of A20, a ubiquitin modulator that suppresses inflammatory signaling cascades initiated from TLR4 and TNF and IL-1 receptors, while not affecting the induction of Nrf2, an anti-inflammatory factor that could suppress the effect of NF-kB. These results suggest that EED exerts its suppressive effect on inflammation, at least in part, by expressing anti-inflammatory factor A20 and suppressing pro-inflammatory factor NF-kB activity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.91-102
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The present study was carried out investigate the anti-cancer effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Carydalis turtschaminovii and Reynoutria elliptica herbal acupuncture on solid tumor of rats induced by injection of RK3E-ras cells. Methods : RK3E-ras cells were injected on the right lumbar region of rats. After 1 weeks, the experimental rats were divided into four groups : Control group, Salvia miltiorrhiza herbal acupuncture group(SM), Carydalis turtschaminovii herbal acupuncture group(CT), Reynoutria elliptica herbal acupuncture group(RE). And we investigated the weight and size of tumor tissue, gross anatomy, histological and PCNA immunohistochemical study, hepatic and renal metastasis for tumor of each group. Results : 1. In the weight of tumor tissue assessment, SM and CT's weight of tumor tissue was decreased. 2. In the size of tumor tissue assessment, SM was smaller than any other group. 3. In the histological observation, SM's formation of tunica fibrosa that surround the tumor cell was obvious and vasculature that developes circumference of tumor cell was not observed, and density of tumor cell was very low. 4. In the PCNA immunohistochemical study, Control group, SM, RE showed strong immune response in the central site of tumor tissue. 5. In observation of liver and kidney tissue, we were not able to observe tumor cell in the SM. Conclusions : Consequently, SM and CT showed a inhibition of growth and metastasis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2002

Background : Nowadays a lot of research is based on natural substances or materials world wide since many kinds of side effects are accompanied by anti tumor chemotherapy. In Chinese medicine, Dioscorea bulbifera L is widely used to treat many kinds of cancer, but in Korea it is rarely used. Therefore, we need to scientifically identify anti tumor effects of Dioscorea bulbifera L. Objective : We aimed to identify anti tumor effects of Dioscorea bulbifera L on the stomach cancer cells through molecular biological methods. Materials & Methods : We used AGS, a stomach cancer cell from American Type Culture Collection. We injected the boiled extract of Dioscorea bulbifera L 5 ul(sample 1), 10ul(sample 2) to cultured media(ml) for 0,6,12,18,24 hours. We measured the killing effect on stomach cancer cells through Tryphan blue exclusion test and suppressive effect on viability of stomach cancer cells via MTT assay. Results : Tryphan blue exclusion test showed that each test group killed more stomach cancer cells than the controlled group with a dosage-dependent, but not significantly. MTT assay showed that each test group had a more suppressive effect on viability of stomach cancer cells than the controlled group without a dosage-independent, but not significantly. The cell cycle analysis via flow cytometry showed that the test group extended cell cycle, and there was no peak in M phase, the number of sub G1, G0, G1 phase cells increased a little, but not significantly. Conclusion : This experiment showed that Dioscorea bulbifera L. has an anti-tumor effect, but not significantly. This is in vitro experiment and basic experiment on Dioscorea bulbifera L. We hope more progressive researches on Dioscorea bulbifera L. will be conducted and its anti tumor will be more accurately identified.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.106-109
• /
• 2008

The anti-tumor effects of exo- (EX) and endo-biopolymers (EN) produced from submerged mycelial cultures of Ganoderma applanatum (GA), Collybia confluens (CC), and Pleurotus eryngii (PE) were studied using Sarcoma 180 bearing mice. Solid tumor growth was inhibited most effectively when 40 mg/kg body weight (BW) of GA-EX or PE-EN was administered to the intraperitoneal (i.p.) cavity of BALB/c mice. The spleen and liver indexes were increased in mice following i.p. administration of GA-EX and PE-EN fractions. GA-EX and PE-EN reduced the tumor formation by 30.7% and 29.4%, respectively. GA-EX and PE-EN increased the natural killer (NK) cell activity of splenocytes by 41.3% and 28.9%, respectively.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.225-233
• /
• 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very common form of cancer worldwide and is often fatal. Although the histopathology of HCC is characterized by metabolic pathophysiology, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, the focus of treatment has been on eliminating HCC. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) multicellular hepatic spheroid (MCHS) models have provided a) new therapeutic strategies for progressive fibrotic liver diseases, such as antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory drugs, b) molecular targets, and c) treatments for metabolic dysregulation. MCHS models provide a potent anti-cancer tool because they can mimic a) tumor complexity and heterogeneity, b) the 3D context of tumor cells, and c) the gradients of physiological parameters that are characteristic of tumors in vivo. However, the information provided by an multicelluar tumor spheroid (MCTS) model must always be considered in the context of tumors in vivo. This mini-review summarizes what is known about tumor HCC heterogeneity and complexity and the advances provided by MCHS models for innovations in drug development to combat liver diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.20
• /
• pp.9039-9043
• /
• 2014

There is a continuing need for innovative alternative therapies for liver cancer. DNA vaccines for hormone/growth factor immune deprivation represent a feasible and attractive approach for cancer treatment. We reported a preventive effect of a DNA vaccine based on six copies of the B cell epitope GRP18-27 with optimized adjuvants against H22 hepatocarcinoma. Vaccination with pCR3.1-VS-HSP65-TP-GRP6-M2 (vaccine) elicited much higher level of anti-GRP antibodies and proved efficacious in preventing growth of transplanted hepatocarcinoma cells. The tumor size and weight were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the vaccine subgroup than in the control pCR3.1-VS-TP-HSP65-TP-GRP6, pCR3.1-VS-TP-HSP65-TP-M2 or saline subgroups. In addition, significant reduction of tumor-induced angiogenesis associated with intradermal tumors of H22 cells was observed. These potent effects may open ways towards the development of new immunotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of liver cancer.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.113-121
• /
• 2008

Objectives In human myeloid leukemia cells, there are no specific features of apoptosis compared with apoptosis in other cell types. Solanum nigrum L.(SNL) is a deciduous tree, which is widely distributed in Korea with reported anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and non-specific immune-enhancing properties. Although the plant has been clinically used for treating a variety of diseases, its bioactive ingredients are unknown and its mode of action potential has never been investigated. Thus anti-tumor property of methanol extract was investigated. Methods In this study, anti-tumor property of methanol extract was investigated by determining its in vitro growth-inhibitory effects on human myeloid leukemia cells. XTT proliferation assay, DNA fragmentation, immunoblot analysis, densitometric analysis were used. Results 1. The methanol fraction of the extracts of SNL induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia cells. 2. The methanol fraction exhibited relatively higher cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner than chloroform, and hexane fraction. 3. Typical ladder profile of Oligonucleosomal fragments were appeared. 4. The secreted cytosolic cytochrome C level was increased by treatment of methanol fraction. Conclusions Methanol fraction of SNL is capable of inducing apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia cells.