• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.273-289
• /
• 2010

Objectives : To investigate the anti-cancer effect of Baekduong-tang(BDOT) against cancer cells, the signaling pathway of apoptosis was explored in human colon cancer cells. Materials and Methods : Human colon cancer cell lines, including HT-29 and HCT-116 cells, were used. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined by DAPI nuclei staining and flow cytometry in HCT-116 cells treated with 0.25 mg/$m{\ell}$ Baekduong-tang for 48 hrs. Results : Baekduong-tang induced the apoptosis of p53 positive HCT-116 cells with G2/M phase arrest. Treatment with Baekduong-tang led to increased expression and phosphorylation of p53 and decreased expression of CDK2 and CDK6 in HCT-116 cells. It also activated caspase-3 through caspase-10 and caspase-9 activation. Finally, Baekduong-tang induced production $H_2O_2$, superoxide anion ($O_2^-$) and NO and modulated proteins expression including SOD, NOS, Bax and Bcl-2. Conclusions : These results indicate Baekduong-tang induces apoptotic death of HCT-116 cells through G2/M phase arrest and disturbance of intracellular redox status in a p53-dependent manner.