• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2018

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential protective effects of six ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg1, and Rg3) isolated from Panax ginseng against tacrolimus (FK506)-induced apoptosis in renal proximal tubular LLC-PK1 cells. Methods: LLC-PK1 cells were treated with FK506 and ginsenosides, and cell viability was measured. Protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinases, caspase-3, and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were evaluated by Western blotting analyses. The number of apoptotic cells was measured using an image-based cytometric assay. Results: Reduction in cell viability by $60{\mu}M$ FK506 was ameliorated significantly by cotreatment with ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1. The phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and KIM-1, and cleavage of caspase-3, increased markedly in LLC-PK1 cells treated with FK506 and significantly decreased after cotreatment with ginsenoside Rb1. The number of apoptotic cells decreased by 6.0% after cotreatment with ginsenoside Rb1 ($10{\mu}M$ and $50{\mu}M$). Conclusion: The antiapoptotic effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on FK506-induced apoptosis were mediated by the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases and caspase activation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.34-48
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of Dangguijakyaksan on cell proliferation in HeLa cells. Methods : Human uterine cervical carcinoma HeLa cells were cultured in the 1%, 5% and 10% concentration of Dangguijakyaksan extract solution for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours for the direct inhibitory effects of Dangguijakyaksan. Afterwards, we executed the analysis of the effect of Dangguijakyaksan extract solution on cell proliferation inhibition using XTT assay, molecular biological method through MAP kinase activity and FACS analysis of caspase activity in the HeLa cells. Results : After 24, 48 and 72 hours cultivation, Dangguijakyaksan extract solution group showed significant decrease of HeLa cells except 1% solution after 24 hours compared with the control group. In the FACS analysis, Dangguijakyaksan extract solution groups showed increase of caspase activity except 1% solution after 48 hours compared with the control group. In the XTT assay, the caspase-3 activities were increased in Dangguijakyaksan extract solution groups except 1% solution after 24 hours in a dose-dependent manner. In the XTT study, cell activities were significantly decreased in 10% Dangguijakyaksan extract solution groups after 48 and 72 hours cultivation compared with the control group. In all Dangguijakyaksan extract solution groups, The activities of MAP kinase were decreased after 24, 48 and 72 hours cultivation compared with the control group. Conclusion : It could be concluded that Dangguijakyaksan is available to the inhibition of proliferation of human cervical carcinoma cell line in vitro.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.410-418
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• 2021

Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis through cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and flagellin as pathogen-related molecular patterns (PAMPs), which, in combination with the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of host cells promotes the expression and secretion of inflammation-causing cytokines and activates innate immune responses such as inflammasomes. To identify useful compounds against H. pylori-associated gastric disorders, the effect of chalcone derivatives to activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was examined in an H. pylori-infected human monocytic THP-1 cell line in this study. Among the five synthetic structurally-related chalcone derivatives examined, 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone (8) and 2'-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethoxychalcone (12) strongly blocked the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. At 10 μM, these compounds inhibited the production of active IL-1β, IL-18, and caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) oligomerization, but did not affect the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and pro-caspase-1. The interruption of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by these compounds was found to be mediated via the inhibition of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4)/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway. These compounds also inhibited caspase-4 production associated with non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These results show for the first time that certain chalcones could interrupt the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. Therefore, these chalcones may be helpful in alleviating H. pylori-related inflammatory disorders including chronic gastritis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.368-376
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• 2023

Background: Although bee venom (BV) has clinical benefits in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it has not been tested as treatment for gouty arthritis. Moreover, in vitro, BV has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory and positive effects on osteoarthritis, but only limited evidence can confirm its beneficial effects on gout. Thus, this study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of BV on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced THP-1 monocytes. Methods: THP-1 monocytes were differentiated into mature macrophages using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and pretreated for 6 hours with BV and a Caspase-1 inhibitor in a physiologically achievable range of concentrations (BV, 0.1-1 ㎍/mL; Caspase-1 inhibitor, 1-10 μM), followed by MSU crystal stimulation for 24 hours. The secretions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-8, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) were increased in the MSU crystal-stimulated THP-1 cells. Results: Caspase-1 inhibitors suppressed the production of all mediators in a dose-dependent manner. BV worked on equal terms with Caspase-1 inhibitors and showed more satisfactory effects on TNF-α, PGE2, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Moreover, the western blot analysis revealed that BV regulated the transcriptional levels of these mediators via the suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation. Conclusion: The results of the present study clearly suggest that BV inhibits MSU-induced inflammation in vitro, suggesting a possible role for BV in gout treatment.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.806-811
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• 2009

Recently, various phenolic acid phenethyl ureas (PAPUs) have been synthesized from phenolic acids by Curtius rearrangement for the development of more effective anti-oxidants. In this study, we examined the anti-tumor activity and cellular mechanism of the synthetic compound (E)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)-3-styrylurea (PAPU1) using melanoma B16/F10 and M-3 cells. Results showed that PAPU1 inhibited the cell proliferation and viability, but did not induce cytotoxic effects on primary cultured fibroblasts. PAPU1 induced apoptotic cell death rather than necrosis in melanoma cells, a result clearly proven by the shift of cells into sub-$G_1$ phase of the cell cycle and by the substantial increase in cells positively stained with TUNEL or Annexin V. Collectively, this study revealed that PAPU1 induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner, suggesting a potential role as a cancer chemopreventive agent for melanoma cells.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.336-343
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• 2020

The present study was carried out to investigate the possibility that bispidinone derivative makes anticancer drug availability to human cervical carcinoma cell. The B8 has the lowest IC50 value among B8, B9 and B10 which are bispidinone analogue with bromide. According to cytotoxic test through WST-8 assay, B8 shows the most magnificent cytotoxicity effectiveness with 76 μM of IC50 value. In human cervical carcinoma cell treated with B8, it noticeably controlled cellular multiplication by increase of concentration and time. Furthermore, morphological changes like cellular shrink, disruption and nuclear condensation, feature of apoptosis, are observed. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay test proved that B8 can cause apoptosis. Moreover, after treatment with 76 μM of B8, flow cytometry analysis shows that increase of active oxygen species are induced and membrane potential in mitochondria is decreased. Manifestation of Bcl-2 family and caspase cascades protein provides evidence that B8 induces apoptosis through mitochondria and caspase-related pathway. Taken together, we suggested that B8 reduced membrane potential in mitochondria and induce apoptosis through the pathway depended on mitochondria and caspase.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.251-260
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• 2007

Purpose: An imbalance of cell proliferation and cell apoptosis is an important mechanism in carcinogenesis. Capase 3, survivin and p53 have been identified as important members of the apoptotic related proteins. This study evaluated the proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), apoptosis, apoptotic related protein such as capase 3, survivin and p53 using urethane-induced mouse lung carcinogenesis, which provides reproducible steps from hyperplasia to adenocarcinoma. Methods: Urethane was administered to the ICR mice through an intra-peritoneal injection, The mice were sacrificed at 5, 15, and 25 weeks after urethane intervention. The sequential morphological changes and immunohistochemical expression of PCNA, apoptosis, capase 3, survivin, and p53 were examined during mouse lung carcinogenesis. Results: During carcinogenesis, the sequential histological changes were observed from hyperplasia of type II pneumocytes, to anadenoma, and ultimately to an overt adenocarcinoma. The PCNA Labeling index (LI) was 9.6% in hyperplasia, 23.2% in adenoma, and 55.7% in adenocarcinoma, respectively. The apoptotic LI was 0.24% in hyperplasia, 1.25% in adenoma, and 5.27% in adenocarcinoma. A good correlation was observed between the PCNA LI and apoptotic LI. The expression of caspase 3 was remarkable- i.e., 46.7% in adenocarcinoma, in contrast to 15% in hyperplasia and 16% in adenoma. Survivin was detected weakly in the alveolar hyperplasia and showed an increasing expressional pattern in adenoma and adenocarcinoma. p53 expression was detected only in the adenocarcinoma lesions with an expression rate of 13.3%. The level of caspase 3 expression correlated with the increase in the apoptotic index. The positive expression of caspase 3 was associated with an increased apoptotic index. Conclusions: These results suggest that the PCNA LI and apoptotic LI might be useful markers for evaluating the risk of a malignant transformation. In addition, caspase, survivin and p53 might play a role in the early and late steges of urethane-induced mouse lung carcinogenesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.431-438
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• 2007

In the present study, twenty eight marine algae species were evaluated for their antiproliferative effect on HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Among these, the methanolic extract of Symphyocladia latiuscula (SL Ex) showed the highest inhibitory activity on HT-29 cell growth. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which SL Ex inhibited the HT-29 cell growth. Cells were cultured with various concentrations of $(0{\sim}20{\mu}g/mL)$ SL Ex. The SL Ex substantially decreased the viable cell numbers and induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner Western blot analyses of total cell lysates revealed that SL Ex increased the levels of cleaved caspase-8, -9, -7, and -3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in HT-29 cells. In addition, SL Ex increased truncated Bid levels but moderately decreased Bax levels at only $20{\mu}g/mL$. Furthermore, SL Ex did not affect Bcl-2 protein levels but increased the levels of Fas in HT-29 cells. The present results indicate that SL Ex inhibits cell growth via inducing apoptosis in human colon cancer cells. The mechanism of apoptosis induction by SL Ex involves caspase-8 activation leading to changes in mitochondrial events and subsequent activation of the caspase-7/caspase-3 cascade. Our finding may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of colon cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.178-184
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• 2022

The objective of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the activity of [10]-gingerol using A2058 human melanoma cells. [10]-Gingerol inhibited the proliferation of A2058 cells by 50% at a concentration of 52 μM. Such inhibition was dose-dependent accompanied by morphological change indicative of apoptosis. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis by Annexin V and PI double staining showed that [10]-gingerol increased the extent of apoptosis. Analysis of the mechanism of these events indicated that [10]-gingerol increased the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2, resulting in the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase in a dose-dependent manner.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1118-1125
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• 2013

Naringenin, a naturally occurring citrus flavonone, is a potentially valuable candidate for cancer chemotherapy. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for its anticancer activity are largely unknown. In the present study, we attempted to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for naringenin-induced apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells. We found that naringenin markedly inhibited the growth of U937 cells by decreasing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis, which was associated with the activation of caspases. A pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, significantly inhibited naringenin-induced U937 cell apoptosis, indicating that caspases are key regulators of apoptosis in response to naringenin in U937 cells. Although the levels of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and proapoptotic Bax proteins remained unchanged in naringenin-treated U937 cells, Bcl-2 overexpression attenuated naringenin-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, combined treatment with naringenin and HA14-1, a small-molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor, effectively increased the apoptosis through enhancement of XIAP down-regulation, Bid cleavage, and caspase activation, suggesting that the synergistic effect was at least partially mediated through the death receptor-mediated apoptosis pathway.