• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5507-5513
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• 2015

Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng (MC) has been used in traditional medicine due to its high carotenoid content. The objective of this study was to investigate mechanisms underlying apoptotic effects of MC on human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. A lycopene-enriched aril extract of MC (AE) showed cytotoxicity and antiestrogenicity to MCF-7 cells. On DAPI staining, AE induced cell shrinkage and chromatin condensation were evident. With flow cytometric analysis, AE increased the percentage of cells in an early apoptosis stage when compared with the control group. RT-PCR analysis showed AE to significantly increase the expression of the proapoptotic bax gene without effect on expression of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene. Moreover, AE enhanced caspase 6, 8 and 9 activity. Taken together, we conclude that AE of MC fruit has anticancer effects on human MCF-7 breast cancer cells by induction of cell apoptosis via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of signaling.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.5031-5035
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• 2016

Docetaxel, recognized as a stabilizing microtubule agent, is frequently administrated as a first line treatment for prostate cancers. Due to high side effects of monotherapy, however, combinations with novel adjuvants have emerged as an alternative strategy in cancer therapy protocols. Here, we investigated the combined effects of stattic and docetaxel on the DU145 prostate cancer cell line. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. To understand molecular mechanisms of stattic action, apoptotic related genes including Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Survivin and Bax were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Alteration in the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 genes and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were investigated via the $2^{{\Delta}{\Delta}CT}$ method. The $IC_{50}$ values for docetaxel and stattic were $3.7{\pm}0.9nM$ and $4.6{\pm}0.8{\mu}M$, respectively. Evaluation of key gene expression levels revealed a noticeable decrease in antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 along with an increase in pro-apoptotic Bax mRNA levels (p<0.05). Our results suggest that combination of a STAT3 inhibitor with doctaxel can be considered as a potent strategy for induction of apoptosis via increasing Bax mRNA expression.

• The Journal of Natural Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 1997

Apoptosis is an important event in the anticancer drug therapy. p53 was demonstrated to serve a key component to lead tumor cell death by inducing apoptosis. However, recent study showed the presence of p53 independent apoptotic pathway (Gaftenhaus et al., 1996). We were curious to know it apoptosis induced by adriamycin, a genotoxic anticancer agent, involved p53 gene mutation. Thus this study investigated the p53 gene mutation status among HeLa cell population during apoptosis induced by adriamycin. Under our experimental condition, 12 hour treatment of 1 ${\mu}m$ adriamycin caused apoptosis which was monitored by DNA fragmentation assay. In order to see the p53 gene mutation status, exons of 5, 7 and 8 of p53 gene, where previously reported p53 mutation hot spots reside, were amplified by PCR and nucleotide sequence change was scanned. However, no nucleotide change was observed among apoptotic HeLa cell population. Therefore this study demonstrated that adriamycin induced apoptosis without causing p53 gene damage.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.41-55
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• 2004

Objective : To investigate the possible molecular mechanism (s) of melittin as a candidate of anti-cancer drug, we examined the effects of the compound on the growth of human lung carcinoma cell line A549. Methods : Growth inhibitory study, flow cytometry analysis, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis, RT-PCR and in vitro caspases activity assay were performed. Results : Melittin treatment declined the cell viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with induction of apoptotic cell death. Melittin treatment down-regulated the levels of Bcl-XS/L mRNA and protein expression of A549 cells, an anti-apoptotic gene, however, the those of Bax, a pro-apoptotic gene, were up-regulated. Melittin induced the proteolytic cleavage and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 protease in a dose-dependent manner without alteration of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins family and Akt expression. Western blot analysis and RT-PCR data revealed that the levels of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 were also remained unchanged. Conclusions : Taken together, these findings suggest that melittin-induced inhibition of human lung cancer cell growth is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death via regulation of several major growth regulatory gene products, and melittin may have therapeutic potential in human lung cancer.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.269-279
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• 2013

Low efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is attributed to incomplete reprogramming of transfered nuclei into oocytes. Trichostatin A (TSA), histone deacetylase inhibitor and 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), DNA methylation inhibitor has been used to enhance nuclear reprogramming following SCNT. However, it was not known molecular mechanism by which TSA and 5-aza-dC improve preimplantation embryo and fetal development following SCNT. The present study investigates embryo viability and gene expression of cloned porcine preimplantation embryos in the presence and absence of TSA and 5-aza-dC as compared to embryos produced by parthenogenetic activation. Our results indicated that TSA treatment significantly improved development. However 5-aza-dC did not improve development. Presence of TSA and 5-aza-dC significantly improved total cell number, and also decreased the apoptotic and autophagic index. Three apoptotic-related genes, Bak, Bcl-xL, and Caspase 3 (Casp3), and three autophagic-related genes, ATG6, ATG8, and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2), were measured by real time RT-PCR. TSA and 5-aza-dC treatment resulted in high expression of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-xL and low pro-apoptotic gene Bak expression compared to untreated NT embryos or parthenotes. Furthermore, LC3 protein expression was lower in NT-TSA and NT-5-aza-dC embryos than those of NT and parthenotes. In addition, TSA and 5-aza-dC treated embryos displayed a global acetylated histone H3 at lysine 9 and methylated DNA H3 at lysine 9 profile similar to the parthenogenetic blastocysts. Finally, we determined that several DNA methyltransferase genes Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b. NT blastocysts showed higher levels Dnmt1 than those of the TSA and 5-aza-dC blastocysts. Dnmt3a is lower in 5-aza-dC than NT, NTTSA and parthenotes. However, Dnmt3b is higher in 5-aza-dC than NT and NTTSA. These results suggest that TSA and 5-aza-dC positively regulates nuclear reprogramming which result in modulation of apoptosis and autophagy related gene expression and then reduce apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, TSA and 5-aza-dC affects the acetylated and methylated status of the H3K9.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3123-3129
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• 2013

Background: The search for naturally occurring agents in routinely consumed foods that may inhibit cancer development is of high priority. [6]-Paradol is a pungent phenolic bioactive component from ginger with welldocumented health promoting antioxidant, antimutagenic, antigenotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, anticarcinogenic effects have yet to be fully explored. The objectives of the present study were therefore to assess protective effects against 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced buccal pouch carcinogenesis in male golden Syrian hamsters. Methods: Oral squamous cell carcinomas developed in the left buccal pouch of hamsters on painting with 0.5% of DMBA, three times in a week. To assess the apoptotic associated gene expressing potential of [6]-paradol, it was orally administered to DMBA treated hamsters on alternate days from DMBA painting for 14 weeks. Results: We observed 100% tumor formation with marked levels of neoplastic changes and altered the expression of apoptotic associated gene (p53, bcl-2, caspase-3 and TNF-${\alpha}$) was observed in the DMBA alone painted hamsters as compared to control hamsters. Oral administration of [6]-paradol at a dose of 30 mg/kg b.wt to DMBA treated animals on alternative days for 14 weeks significantly reduced the neoplastic changes and improved the status of apoptosis associated gene expression. Conclusion: These observations confirmed that [6]-paradol acts as a tumor suppressing agent against DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis. We also conclude that [6]-paradol also effectively enhances apoptosis- associated gene expression in DMBA treated animals.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 2016

Decursin is a major component of the root of Angelica gigas(Umbelliferae), which has been traditionally used in Korea as a tonic and to treat anemia, hemiplegia, and women's diseases. The objective of this study is to identify the anti-cancer mechanism induced by decursin on apoptosis of human leukemia and lymphoma cells. Cytotoxicity of decursin on U937, HL-60, MOLT-4, THP-1 cells showed the significant effects. First of all, $IC_{50}$ of decursin on four cell lines was 27.1, 32.4, 17.4, $15.1{\mu}M$, respectively. So $IC_{50}$ in THP-1 cells was the smallest among 4 cell lines treated with decursin($15.1{\mu}M$). In order to understand the apoptosis-mechanism by decursin, we examined the gene expression of bcl-2(anti-apoptotic), bax(pro-apoptotic) and p53(tumor suppressor)after treating the THP-1 cells with decursin(10, 50 and $100{\mu}M$). It was found bcl-2 gene was decreased dose dependently, the expression level of bax gene of THP-1 cells treated with $100{\mu}M$ of decursin was about 3 times higher than those of control, and p53 gene was increased In the same concentration($100{\mu}M$), p53 gene was increased dose dependent manner. In protein express, bcl-2 and p53 protein showed a tendency to decrease. bax was increased about 4 fold. Therefore decursin is a useful chemotherapeutic agent against leukemia.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.349-362
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• 2017

Objectives : We investigated whether the components of Ailanthus altissima induced apoptotic cell death in Jurkat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Methods : Regulation of cell proliferation is a complex process involving the regulated expression and/or modification of discrete gene products, which control transition between different stages of the cell cycle. Results : Upon treatments with Ailanthus altissima, the concentration-dependent inhibitions of cell viability were observed as compared to untreated control group. The capability of Ailanthus altissima to induce apoptosis was associated with proteolytic cleavage of specific target proteins such as poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) and beta-catenin proteins suggesting the possible involvement of caspases. Ailanthus altissima also caused apoptosis as measured by cell morphology and DNA fragmentation. Conclusions : These results indicate that the increase of apoptotic cell death by Ailanthus altissima may be due to the inhibition of cell cycle in human Jurkat lymphocytes. Conclusively, these current and further findings will provide novel approaches to understanding and treating major diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6753-6759
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• 2015

Background: Loss of function of the p53 gene is implicated in defective apoptotic responses of tumors to chemotherapy. Although the pro-apoptotic roles of eugenol and capsaicin have been amply reported, their dependence on p53 for apoptosis induction in gastric cancer cells is not well elucidated. The aim of the study was to elucidate the role of p53 in the induction of apoptosis by eugenol and capsaicin in a human gastric cancer cell line, AGS. Materials and Methods: AGS cells were incubated with or without various concentrations of capsaicin and eugenol for 12 hrs, in the presence and absence of p53 siRNA. Cell cycling, annexin V and expression of apoptosis related proteins Bax, Bcl-2 ratio, p21, cyt c-caspase-9 association, caspase-3 and caspase-8 were studied. Results: In the presence of p53, capsaicin was a more potent pro-apoptotic agent than eugenol. However, silencing of p53 significantly abrogated apoptosis induced by capsaicin but not that by eugenol. Western blot analysis of pro-apoptotic markers revealed that as opposed to capsaicin, eugenol could induce caspase-8 and caspase-3 even in the absence of p53. Conclusions: Unlike capsaicin, eugenol could induce apoptosis both in presence and absence of functional p53. Agents which can induce apoptosis irrespective of the cellular p53 status have immense scope for development as potential anticancer agents.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.358-364
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• 2006

To investigate the possible mechanism of Drynariae Rhizoma extracts as a candidate of anti-cancer drug, I examined the effects of Drynariae Rhizoma extracts on the apoptosis of U937 cell line. MTT assay, flow cytometric analysis, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot analysis, and RT-PCR were performed. Drynariae Rhizoma extracts treatment reduced the cell viablilty of U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with induction of apoptotic cell death. Drynariae Rhizoma extracts treatment also reduced the levels of Bcl-xL anti-apoptotic protein expression and increased the levels of caspase-3, p53, pro-apoptotic protein, in U937 cells. RT-PCR data revealed that the level of bcl-2, bcl-xL mRNA expressions decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that Drynariae Rhizoma extracts may have induction of apoptotic cell death via regulation of several growth regulatory gene products. The abbreviations used are: FBS, fetal bovine serum; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; PI, propidium iodide; OD, optical density; DiOC6, 3,3-dihexyloxa carbcyanine iodide; MTT, 3 [4-5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] -2-diphenyltetrazolium bromide.