• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.57-69
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• 2002

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Injin butanol fractions with Thin Layer Chromatography on Fas-mediated Apoptosis. Method: Injin-butanol fraction separated by TLC. MIT assay, cell cycle analysis, Caspase-3 protease assay, DNA fragmentation assay and quantitative RT-PCR were performed to evaluate the effects of TLC extraction of lnjin-butanol fraction on cell viability, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Results: Scopoletin, luteolin, apigenin and unknown powder was isolated by TLC. Fas-mediated apoptosis analysis shows that scopoletin has inhibiting function on apoptosis. Caspase- 3 protease assay analysis shows that scopoletin inhibits activity of caspase-3. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis shows that no activity on caspase-3, but apoptosis inhibition cytokine -Bcl-2- is activated, and apoptosis activating cytokine -Bax- is unactivated. Conclusion: These results show that each fraction of Injin-butanol TLC extraction, especially scopoletin, acts as a protective function on liver cell viability, and inhibitory function on apoptosis. (J Korean Oriental Moo 2002;23(2):57-69)

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2014

Background: Research has been conducted with regard to the development of methods for improving the pharmaceutical effect of ginseng by conversion of ginsenosides, which are the major active components of ginseng, via high temperature or high-pressure processing. Methods: The present study sought to investigate the anticancer effect of heat-processed American ginseng (HAG) in human gastric cancer AGS cells with a focus on assessing the role of apoptosis as an important mechanistic element in its anticancer actions. Results and Conclusion: HAG significantly reduced the cancer cell proliferation, and the contents of ginsenosides Rb1 and Re were markedly decreased, whereas the peaks of less-polar ginsenosides [20(S,R)-Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5] were newly detected. Based on the activity-guided fractionation of HAG, ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 played a key role in inducing apoptosis in human gastric cancer AGS cells, and it was generated mainly from ginsenoside Rb1. Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 induced apoptosis through activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, as well as regulation of Bcl-2 and Bax expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that heat-processing serves as an increase in the antitumor activity of American ginseng in AGS cells, and ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3, the active component produced by heat-processing, induces the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, which contributes to the apoptotic cell death.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2002

The mechanism by which catechin-mediated cytotoxicity against tumor cells remains to be elusive. To elucidate the mechanical mights of anti-tumor effects, (-)epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) of catechin was applied to human prostate cancer DU 145 cells. Cell viability was measured by crystal violet staining. Cell lysates were wed to measure the catalytic activity of caspases by using fluorogenic peptide: Ac-DEVD-AMC for caspase-3 protease, Z-IETD-AFC for caspase-8 protease, Ac-LEHD-AFC for caspase-9 protease as substrates. The equal amounts of protein from cell lysate was separated on SDS-PAGE and analyzed by western blotting with anti-Fas antibody, anti-FasL antibody, anti-BCL2 antibody and anti-Bax antibody. (-)EGCG induced the death of DUl45 cells, which was revealed as apoptosis shown by DNA fragmentation. (-)EGCG induced the activation of caspase family cysteine proteases including caspase-3, -8 and -9 proteases in DU145 cells. Also, (-)EGCG increased the expression of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) protein in DU145 colls. The expression level of BCL2 was decreased in (-)EGCG treated DU145 cells, whereas Bax protein was increased in a time-dependent manner. We suggest that (-)EGCG-induced apoptosis of DU145 cells is mediated by signaling pathway involving caspase family cysteine protease, mitochondrial BCL2-family protein and Fas/FasL.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.965-972
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• 2005

To investigate the effects of Trichosanthes semen extract on the growth and apoptosis of human uterine cervical carcinoma cells. Effects of Trichosanthes semen extract on the growth of ME-180 cells were assayed by MTT assay. Apoptosis induced by Trichosanthes semen extract was detected by fluorescent microscopy, DNA fragmentation analysis and flow cytometry. Caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities were assayed. Trichosanthes semen extract induced ME-180 cells to die in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ME-180 cells treated with Trichosanthes semen extract exhibited typical characteristics of apoptosis. The population of Sub-G1 cells increased significantly, and the cells represented the reduced size, condensed chromatin and apoptotic bodies. They showed the decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8. The results suggest that Trichosanthes semen extract induced ME-180 cell apoptosis and the activation of caspase and mitochondrial pathway were involved in the process of Trichosanthes semen extract-induced apoptosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1678-1688
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• 2011

The apoptogenic effect of p-coumaric acid, a phenolic acid found in various edible plants, on human acute leukemia Jurkat T cells was investigated. Exposure of Jurkat T cells to p-coumaric acid (50-$150{\mu}M$) caused cytotoxicity and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic DNA fragmentation along with Bak activation, ${\Delta}{\psi}m$ loss, activation of caspase-9, -3, -7, and -8, and PARP degradation in a dose-dependent manner. However,these apoptotic events were completely abrogated in Jurkat T cells overexpressing Bcl-2.Under these conditions, necrosis was not accompanied. Pretreatment of the cells with the pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) could prevent p-coumaric acid-induced sub-$G_1$ peak representing apoptotic cells, whereas it failed to block ${\Delta}{\psi}m$ loss, indicating that the activation of caspase cascade was prerequisite for p-coumaric acid-induced apoptosis as a downstream event of ${\Delta}{\psi}m$ loss. FADD- and caspase-8-positive wild-type Jurkat T cell clone A3, FADD-deficient Jurkat T cell clone I2.1, and caspase-8-deficient Jurkat T cell clone I9.2 exhibited similar susceptibilities to the cytotoxicity of p-coumaric acid, excluding an involvement of Fas/FasL system in triggering the apoptosis. The apoptogenic activity of p-coumaric acid is more potent in malignant Jurkat T cells than in normal human peripheral T cells. Together, these results demonstrated that p-coumaric acid-induced apoptogenic activity in Jurkat T cellswas mediated by Bak activation, ${\Delta}{\psi}m$ loss, and subsequent activation of multiple caspases such as caspase-9, -3, -7, and-8, and PARP degradation, which could be regulated by anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1499-1506
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• 2016

Background: Crocus sativus and its major constituent crocin are well established to have anti-cancer properties in breast cancer cells (MCF-7). However the role of C. sativus extract (CSE) and crocin on caspase signaling mediated MCF-7 cell death at molecular level is remains unclear. In this study, we tried to unravel role of CSE and crocin on caspase mediated MCF-7 cells death and their in vivo preclinical toxicity profiling and immune stimulatory effect. Materials and Methods: CSE extract was fractionated by HPLC and crocin was isolated and characterized by NMR, IR, and MS. MCF-7 cells were treated with both CSE and crocin and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was assessed after 24 and 36 hours. Furthermore, caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 expression was determined by Western blotting after 24 hours of treatment. DNA fragmentation analysis was performed for genotoxicity of CSE and crocin in MCF-7 cells. The in vivo toxicity profile of CSE (300 mg/kg of b.wt) was investigated in normal Swiss albino mice. In addition, peritoneal macrophages were collected from crocin (1, 1.5 and 2 mg/kg body weight) treated mice and analyzed for ex vivo yeast phagocytosis. Results: Immunoblot analysis revealed that there was time dependent decline in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 with simultaneous upregulation of Bax in CSE and crocin treated MCF-7 cells. Further CSE and crocin treatment downregulated caspase 8 and 9 and cleaved the caspase 3 after 24 hours. Both CSE and crocin elicited considerable DNA damage in MCF-7 cells at each concentration tested. In vivo toxicity profile by histological studies revealed no observable histopathologic differences in the liver, kidney, spleen, lungs and heart in CSE treated and untreated groups. Crocin treatment elicited significant dose and time dependent ex vivo yeast phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages. Conclusions: Our study delineated involvement of pro-apoptotic and caspase mediated MCF-7 cell death by CSE and crocin at the molecular level accompanied with extensive DNA damage. Further we found that normal swiss albino mice can tolerate the maximum dose of CSE. Crocin enhanced ex vivo macrophage yeast phagocytic ability.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.317-323
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• 2012

This study was performed to elucidate the anticancer activities and the mechanism of chloroform fractions from cultivated Orostachys japonicus (CFCOJ) in human colon cancer cells. CFCOJ markedly decreased viable cell numbers in both a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner within SW480 cells. Cell death induced by CFCOJ increased cell populations in the sub-G1 phase, as well as the formation of apoptotic bodies, nuclear condensation, and induced DNA fragmentation. CFCOJ-induced apoptosis was associated with the activation of initiator caspase-8 and -9, as well as the effector caspase-3. CFCOJ also stimulated Bid cleavage, indicating that the apoptotic action of caspase-8-mediated Bid cleavage leads to the activation of caspase-9. CFCOJ increased the expression of the proapoptotic protein, Bax, and decreased the expression of the antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-2. These results indicate that CFCOJ exert anticancer effects on human colon cancer SW480 cells through a caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.49-58
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• 2009

목적 : 본 연구는 봉약침의 주요성분인 멜리틴이 전립선 암세포주인 DU-145 세포성장에 어떤 영향을 미치는지를 알아보기 위하여 시행하였다. 방법 : 멜리틴이 DU-145의 성장에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위한 cell viability 측정으로는 WST-1 assay를, 세포자멸사의 관찰에는 DAPI(4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole)와 TUNEL staining assay를 시행하였으며, 세포자멸사 조절단백질(calpain, Bax, caspase-3, -9, cleaved caspase-3, cleavaged PARP, cleaved caspase-9, Bcl-2, XIAP, cIAP2, Akt, p-Akt, MMP-2, MMP-13)의 관찰을 위하여 western blot analysis를 시행하였다. 결과 : 1. DU-145 세포에서 멜리틴을 처리한 후 세포자멸사가 유도되어 세포성장이 억제되었다. 2. 세포자멸사 관련 단백질 중 분리된 caspase-3, caspase-9은 유의한 증가를, Bcl-2, p-Akt, XIAP, cXIAP는 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 멜리틴이 인간 전립선암세포주인 DU-145의 세포자멸사를 유발함으로써 증식억제 효과가 있음을 나타낸 것으로, 전립선암의 예방과 치료에 대한 효과적인 치료제 개발에 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2006

Purpose : To investigate the caspase-3 expression in the acinar and ductal cells of rat submandibular glands after the irradiation of various doses. Materials and Methods : The male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 250 gm were used for this study. The experimental group was irradiated with a single absorbed dose of 2, 5, 10, and 15 Gy on the head and neck region. The rats were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21 st, and 28th day after irradiation. The specimens including the submandibular gland were sectioned and observed using histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. Results : The local destruction of the acinar and ductal cells and the karyopyknotic nuclei of the acinar cells were observed in the 2 Gy and 5 Gy irradiation groups later than in the 10 Gy and 15 Gy irradiation groups. And the expression of caspase-3 was prominent only in the ductal cells in the 2 Gy and 5 Gy irradiation groups. Conclusion : This experiment suggests that radiation-induced apoptosis in the ductal cells of rat submandibular glands was induced by a low dose radiation associated with the activation of caspase-3 and radiation-induced necrosis was induced by a high dose radiation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-23
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• 2007

Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of Onpoeum on ovarian functions and differential gone expressions related with cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Onpoeum to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. With different concentration of Onpoeum, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. We chose the Caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. Results: In case of 4, 8, 12 day of Onpoeum, we were examined the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In audition we were examined the differential expression of cell apoptosis, viability and DNA repair related genes, Caspase-3, MAPK and MPG according to concentration and duration of Onpoeum. From these results showed that the administration of Onpoeum played a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusion: It is suggested that the medication of Onpoeum may have beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.