• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-63
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• 2009

Background and Objective : The prospects for developing an anti-apoptotic natural component or a compound that exerts a neuroprotective effect with few or no side effects for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease appear favorable. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the methanol extract of Phellodendri Cortex (PC extract) on 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium($MPP^+$)-induced apoptosis in PC-12 cells. Materials and Methods : We used the methanol extract of Phellodendri Cortex (PC extract). PC-12 cells were cultured by RPMZ-1640. We found the PC extract's gene expression (Bax, Bcl-2) by using RT-PCR. We examined the PC extract's protein expression (Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-3) by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Results : Apoptosis in $MPP^+$-induced PC-12 cells was accompanied by an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, release of cytochrome c to the cytosol and the activation of caspase-3. PC extract inhibited the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and the up-regulation of Bax, as well as the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol. In addition, PC extract attenuated caspase-3 activation and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Conclusion : These results suggest that the neuroprotective potentials of PC extract against $MPP^+$-induced apoptosis can be. at least partially, ascribed to its anti-apoptotic effects in PC-12 cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.33-38
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• 2013

Objects : Apoptosis leads to the death of a cell. The mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, a process regulated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins, plays a key role in various biological processes. The tuber of Liriope platyphylla Wang et TANG (Liliaceae), also known as Liriopis tuber, is famous in Oriental medicine owing to its tonic, antitussive, expectorant and anti-asthmatic properties. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of the Liriopis tuber on mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in PC-12 cells. Method : A cytotoxic test on Liriopis Tuber water extract was conducted and another MTT assay was conducted to observe the cytoprotective effect against 4-HNE 25 ${\mu}M$ that causes oxidative stress in PC-12 cells for 24 hours. In addition, in order to observe the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein involved with apoptosis, western blot was conducted. Results : The LT water extract had no toxicity for PC-12 cell. In the cytoprotective effect against 4-HNE, both of the group treated with 50 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of LT water extract showed a significant increase in comparison with the control group. In Bax protein expression, all the experimental groups treated with LT water extract showed a decrease in comparison with the control group but had no significance. In Bcl-2 protein expression, all the experimental groups treated with LT water extract showed a significant increase in comparison with the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that LT is effective in reducing apoptosis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.246-252
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• 2002

Purpose : It has been recognized that interaction of the Fas : Fas ligand plays an important role in radiation-induced apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Fas mutation in radiation-induced apoptosis in vivo. Materials and Method : Mice with mutations in Fas, $MRL/Mpj-Fas^{Ipr}$, and its normal control, MRL/Mpj, were used in this study. Eight-week old male mice were given whole body radiation. After irradiation, the mice were killed and their spleens were collected at different time intervals. Tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the numbers of apoptotic cells were scored. Regulating molecules of apoptosis including p53, Bcl-2, Bax, $Bcl-X_L,\;and\;Bcl-X_S$ were also analyzed by Western blotting. Results : At 25 Gy irradiation, the level of apoptosis reached the peak value at 8 hr after radiation and recovered to the normal value at 24 hr after radiation in MRL/Mpj mice. In contrast, the peak apoptosis level appeared at 4 hr after radiation in $MRL/Mpj-Fas^{Ipr}$. At 8 hr after radiation, the levels of apoptosis in MRL/Mpj mice and $MRL/Mpj-Fas^{Ipr}$ mice were $52.3{\pm}7.8\%\;and\;8.0{\pm}8.6\%$, respectively (p<0.05). The expression of apoptosis regulating molecules, p53, $Bcl-X_L\;and\;Bcl-X_S$, increased in MRL/Mpj mice in response to radiation; p53 with a peak level of 3-fold at 8 h, $Bcl-X_L$ with a peak level of 3.3-fold at 12 h, and $Bcl-X_S$ with a peak level of 3-fold at 12 h after 25 Gy radiation. Bcl-2 and Bax did not show significant change in MRL/Mpj mice. However in $MRL/Mpj-Fas^{Ipr}$ mice, the expression levels of p53, Bcl-2, Bax, $BCl-X_L\;and\;BCl-X_S$ showed no significant change. Conclusion : The level of radiation-induced apoptosis was lower in Fas mutated mice, Ipr, than in control mice. This seemed to be related to the lack of radiation-induced p53 activation in the Ipr mice. This result suggests that Fas plays an important role in radiation-induced apoptosis in vivo.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 1997

Purpose : To analyze the involvement of apoptosis regulatory genes p53, $p21^{wart/cip1}$ bax and bcl-2 in induction of apoptosis by radiation in murine tumors. Materials and methods : The radiation-sensitive ovarian carcinoma OCa-1, and the radiation-resistant hepatocarcinorna HCa-I were used. Tumors, 8 mm in diameter, were irradiated with 25 Gy and at various times after irradiation, ranging from 1 to 48 h, were analyzed histologically for apoptosis and by western blot for alterations in the expression of these genes. The p53 status of the tumors were determined by the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism assay. Results : Both tumors were positive for wild-type p53. Radiation inducesd apoptosis in OCa-1 but not in HCa-1. Apoptosis developed rapidly, peaked at 2 h after irradiation and returned to almost the background level at 48 h In OCa-1 radiation upregulated the expression of p53, $p21^{wart/cip1}$. and the bcl-2/bax ratio was decreased. In HCa-1 radiation increased the expression of both p53 and $p21^{wart/cip1}$, although the increase of the latter was small The bcl-2/bax ratio was greatly increased. In general the observed changes occurred within a few hours after irradiation, and either preceded or coincided with development of apoptosis Conclusions : The development of apoptosis required upregulation of both p53 and $p21^{wart/cip1}$ as well as a decrease in bcl-2/bax ratio. In contrast, an increase in bcl-2/bax ratio Prevented apoptosis in the presence of upregulated p53 and $p21^{wart/cip1}$ . These findings indentified the involvement of multiple oncogenes in apoptosis regulation in vivo and demonstrate the complexity that may be associated with the use of a single oncogene assessment for Predicting the outcome of cancer therapy with cytotoxic agents.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2015

Objectives: Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, has been reported to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but its anti-inflammatory effects, which are also closely linked with apoptosis, if any, on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not so far been critically examined. In this study, we tried to determine if quercetin had any demonstrable anti-inflammatory potential, which also could significantly contribute to inducing apoptosis in a NSCLC cell line, A549. Methods: In this context, several assays, including cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and fluorimetry, were done. Gene expression was analyzed by using a western blot analysis. Results: Results revealed that quercetin could induce apoptosis in A549 cells through mitochondrial depolarization by causing an imbalance in B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl2 Antagonist X (Bcl2/Bax) ratio and by down-regulating the interleukine-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway. An analysis of the data revealed that quercetin could block nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity at early hours, which might cause a down-regulation of the IL-6 titer, and the IL-6 expression, in turn, could inhibit p-STAT3 expression. Down-regulation of both the STAT3 and the NF-${\kappa}B$ expressions might, therefore, cause down-regulation of Bcl2 activity because both are major upstream effectors of Bcl2. Alteration in Bcl2 responses might result in an imbalance in the Bcl2/Bax ratio, which could ultimately bring about mitochondria mediated apoptosis in A549 cells. Conclusion: Overall, the finding of this study indicates that a quercetin induced anti-inflammatory pathway in A549 cells appeared to make a significant contribution towards induction of apoptosis in NSCLC and, thus, may have a therapeutic use such as a strong apoptosis inducer in cancer cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of Polygalae Radix(PR) on 4-HNE-induced apoptosis in PC-12 cell. Methods : A MTT assay was conducted to observe the cytotoxicity of Polygalae Radix on the cell viability and the cytoprotective effect of Polygalae Radix against 4-HNE that causes oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity, and then a western blot was conducted to observe the expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 protein that are important factors involved with apoptosis signaling pathway. Results : The Polygalae Radix water extract $25{\mu}g$, $50{\mu}g$, $100{\mu}g$ and $200{\mu}g/mL$ had no cytotoxicity on the PC-12 cell. The Polygalae Radix water extract $25{\mu}g$, $50{\mu}g$ and $100{\mu}g/mL$ had the cytoprotective effect against 4-HNE that causes cytotoxicity on the PC-12 cell. The Polygalae Radix water extract $50{\mu}g/mL$ significantly suppressed the increase in $TNF-{\alpha}$ protein expression in PC-12 cell. The Polygalae Radix water extract $25{\mu}g$ and $50{\mu}g/mL$ significantly suppressed the increase in caspase-3 protein expression in PC-12 cell. The Polygalae Radix water extract $25{\mu}g$, $50{\mu}g$ and $100{\mu}g/mL$ suppressed the increase in Bax protein expression in PC-12 cell but had no significance. The Polygalae Radix water extract $25{\mu}g$ and $100{\mu}g/mL$ significantly prevented the decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression in PC-12 cell, Conclusions : These results suggest that the Polygalae Radix water extract is effective in inhibiting apoptosis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.195-205
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of Gardeniae Fructus on 4-HNE-induced apoptosis in PC-12 cell. Methods : A MTT assay was conducted to observe the cytotoxicity of Gardeniae Fructus on the PC-12 cell viability and the cytoprotective effects of Gardeniae Fructus on PC-12 cell against oxidative stress caused by 4-HNE. And western blot was conducted to observe the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, $TNF-{\alpha}$ proteins which are involved in intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathway. Results : 25, 50, 100, 200 and $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Gardeniae Fructus water extract had no cytotoxicity on PC-12 cell. $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Gardeniae Fructus water extract had significant cytoprotective effect on PC-12 cell against oxidative stress caused by 4-HNE. The expression of Bax protein in 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Gardeniae Fructus was significantly decreased in PC-12 cell. The expression of Bcl-2 protein in $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Gardeniae Fructus was significantly increased in PC-12 cell. The expression of Caspase-3 protein in 100 and $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Gardeniae Fructus was significantly decreased in PC-12 cell. The expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ protein in $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Gardeniae Fructus was significantly decreased in PC-12 cell. Conclusions : These results suggest that Gardeniae Fructus water extract is effective to protect PC-12 cell from 4-HNE induced apoptosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 2016

Objectives : The study was designed to observe the effect of Polygalae Radix Preparata Cum Glycyrrhizae Radix on 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE)-induced apoptosis in PC-12 cell.Methods : A cytotoxic test on Polygalae Radix Preparata Cum Glycyrrhizae Radix (PG) was conducted and another MTT assay was conducted to observe the cytoprotective effect against 4-HNE that cause oxidative stress. In addition, in order to observe the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and TNF-α protein involved with apoptosis, western blot was conducted.Results : The groups treated with 25 ㎍, 50 ㎍ and 100 ㎍ of PG water extract had no toxicity for PC-12 cell. The groups treated with 25 ㎍, 50 ㎍ and 100 ㎍ of PG water extract showed a significant increase of cell survival rate in comparison with the control group injected by only 4-HNE. The groups treated with 25 ㎍ and 50 ㎍ of PG water extract showed a significant supression on increase of Bax protein expression in the control group. The group treated with 100 ㎍ of PG water extract showed a significant promotion on decrease of Bcl-2 protein expression in the control group. The group treated with 50 ㎍ of PG water extract showed a significant supression on increase of Caspase-3 protein expression in the control group. The group treated with 25 ㎍ of PG water extract showed a significant supression on increase of TNF-α protein expression in the control group.Conclusions : These results suggest that Polygalae Radix Preparata Cum Glycyrrhizae Radix is effective in reducing apoptosis by 4-HNE-dameged cell.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2016

Dendrimers are one of the most appropriate nanocaries for imaging moieties in imaging applications.The purpose of this study was the evalution of cytotoxicity and inducing apoptosis of dendrimers. This study was conducted in order to investigate the metastasis suppression effect of dendrimer in human breast MCF-7 cell line and finding the nanoparticle protein corona in biological enviromental. Dendrimer cytotoxicity effect was assessed by MTT assay. The mRNA experession level of KAI1 as a metastasis suppressor gene, Bax as Pro- apoptotic gene, Bcl-2 as an anti-apoptotic gene and GAPDH as a housekepping gene were determined by real-time PCR assays.concentration-dependent nanoparticle cytotoxicity effect was proofed at range of 1-2 mg/mL in 24 hours, significant upregulation of mRNA expression of Bax, was observed whereas expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was down-regulated, also expression of metastasis suppressor gene KAI1 was up-regulated. So far a few studies confirmed apoptosis enhancement effect of dendrimers in MCF-7 cell line via bax/bcl-2 pathways. dendrimer nanoparticles was able to act as metastase inhibitor via upregulation of KAI1 gene.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2021

This study investigated the anticancer activity of methanol extract from Platycarya strobilacea leaf in AGS human gastric cancer cells. We determined the cell viability effect of P. strobilacea using MTS assay. Apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest were confirmed by fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide staining using cellometer K2. The mRNA expression levels of the Bcl-2 family were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The cell viability was decreased in a dose-dependent manner treated with different concentrations of P. strobilacea. Total, early, and late apoptotic cells were dramatically increased, and the cell cycle was arrested at the sub-G1 phase. The mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were reduced, whereas pro-apoptotic factors, Bax and Bak, were increased in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that P. strobilacea leaf extract induced significant apoptotic activity through an intrinsic mitochondria pathway.