• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.457-461
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• 2006

It is demonstrated that phenolic compound has cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. Recently, ferulic acid is involved in anticancer activity by showing the decrease of cell viability in cancer cells. But, the anticancer mechanism of ferulic acid is left unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the anticancer activity of ferulic acid on NIH3T3 fibroblasts and human skin melanoma cells (SK-MEL-3). The anticancer activity was measured by determining the cytotoxicy of ferulic acid on these cells. The cytotoxicity was measured by cell viability via XTT assay in these cells. In this study, ferulic acid decreased cell viability according to the dose-dependent manners after human skin melanoma cells were treated with various concentrations of ferulic acid for 48 hours. especially, ferulic acid remarkably decreased cell viability at a concentration of $120{\mu}M$ compared with control in human skin melanoma cells. While, ferulic acid did not show the significant decrease of cell viability at concentrations of $30{\sim}120{\mu}M$ in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. These results suggest that ferulic acid showed anticancer activity in cancer cells such as human skin melanoma cells by the decrease of cell viability significantly.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.922-936
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• 2022

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), a monoamine, as a local regulator in the mammary gland is a chemical signal produced by the mammary epithelium cell. In cows, studies have shown that 5-HT is associated with epithelial cell apoptosis during the degenerative phase of the mammary gland. However, studies in other tissues have shown that 5-HT can effectively promote cell viability. Whether 5-HT could have an effect on mammary cell viability in dairy cows is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) effect of 5-HT on the viability of bovine mammary epithelial cells and its related signaling pathways, (2) interaction between prolactin (PRL) and 5-HT on the cell viability. The bovine mammary alveolar cell-T (MAC-T) were cultured with different concentrations of 5-HT for 12, 24, 48 or 72 hours, and then were assayed using cell counting kit-8, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunobloting. The results suggested that 20 μM 5-HT treatment for 12 or 24 h promote cell viability, which was mainly induced by the activation of 5-HT receptor (5-HTR) 1B and 4, because the increase caused by 5-HT vanished when 5-HTR 1B and 4 was blocked by SB224289 and SB204070. And protein expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2), janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) were decreased after blocking 5-HT 1B and 4 receptors. When MAC-T cells were treated with 5-HT and PRL simultaneously for 24 h, both the cell viability and the level of mTOR protein were significantly higher than that cultured with 5-HT or PRL alone. In conclusion, our study suggested that 5-HT promotes the viability of MAC-T cells by 5-HTR 1B and/or 4. Furthermore, there is a reciprocal relationship between PRL and 5-HT.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.95-105
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• 2008

Objectives : Although herbal medicines containing flavonoids have been reported to exert anti-tumor activities, it has not been explored whether Hwang-Jeong (Polygonati sibirici Rhizoma, PsR) exerts anti-tumor activity in human glioma. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the effect of PsR on cell viability and to determine its underlying mechanism in A172 human glioma cells. Methods : Cell viability was estimated by MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by the fluorescence dyes. The phosphorylation of kinases was evaluated by western blot analysis and caspase activity was estimated using colorimetric assay kit. Results : PsR resulted in loss of cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. PsR did not increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the PsR-induced cell death was also not affected by antioxidants, suggesting that ROS generation is not involved in loss of cell viability. Western blot analysis showed that PsR treatment caused rapid reduction in phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) without changes in p38 and Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). U0126, an inhibitor of ERK, increased the PsR-induced cell death, but inhibitors of p38 and JNK did not affect the cell death. PsR induced depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. Caspase activity was not stimulated by PsR and caspase inhibitors did not prevent the PsR-induced cell death. Conclusion : Taken together, these findings suggest that PsR results in human glioma cell death through caspaseindependent mechanisms involving down-regulation of ERK.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.169-173
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• 1997

The measurement of cell death constant in Anabaena flos-aquae was tested by the Live/Dead BacLight Viability kit(Molecular Probes Co., Seatle, WA). When the Live/Dead BacLight Viability kit was applied to Anabaena flos-aquae, the cells with intact cell membranes(live cells) stained fluorescent green, while the cell with damaged membranes(dead cells) stained fluorescent red and the background remained virtually nonfluorescent. The rations of live : dead cells in the cell suspension were controlled artifically and Live/Dead BacLight Viability kit was applied to them. The ratios of green:red fluorescent cells in the cell suspension were the same as those of live : dead cells controlled artifically. It was also approved by the fluorescence emission. The cell death constant was measured in the P-limited Anabaena flos-aquae chemostal culture in the N-fixing and $KNO_3-supplied$ conditions. The culture in N-fixing chemostat had a dead cell proportion of 1.2% at the growth rate of 0.7/day and increased to 2.6% at the growth rate of 0.3/day. The cell death constant of N-fixing culture was 0.008/day.There was a same trend in the $KNO_3-supplied$ chemostat culture. The proportion of dead cell was 1.6% of dead cell proportion at the growth rate of 0.7/day and increased to 4.3% at the growth rate of 0.3/day.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2013

Objectives and Methods: This study was conducted to investigate the formula of ONGABO to composed of Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng), Angelica Gigantis Radix, Schisandrae Fructus, Cuscuta Semen, Curcumae Tuber with the method to observe the cell viability of HepG2 in the basic principle of oriental medicine formula study, Sovereign, Minister, Assistant and Courier principle (君臣佐使論). Results: Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) and Schisandrae Fructus were having a cell protection effect in HepG2 significantly. Angelica gigantis radix was decreased the cell viability of HepG2 significantly, and there were no effects for Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber to the cell viability of HepG2. Conclusions: As the above results, in the Sovereign, Minister, Assistant and Courier principle (君臣佐使論), Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) corresponds to sovereign medicinal having cell protect effects, angelica gigantis radix corresponds to minister medicinal having cell killing effects, Schisandrae Fructus corresponds to assistant medicinal to help red ginseng having cell protect effects. Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber correspond to courier medicinal having no effect in cell viability in HepG2. We hope the advanced research on sovereign, minister, assistant and courier principle will be proceed in the tomorrow.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.199-205
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• 2009

It is unclear whether Fructus ligustri Lucidi (FLL) extract anti-proliferative effect in human glioma cells. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the effect of FLL on cell viability and to determine the underlying mechanism in A172 human glioma cells. Cell viability and cell death were estimated by MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion assay, respectively. Apoptosis was measured by Annexin-V binding assay and cell cycle analysis. Activation of kinases and caspase-3 was estimated by Western blot analysis. FLL resulted in apoptotic cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner. FLL-induced cell death was not associated with reactive oxygen species generation. Western blot analysis showed that FLL treatment caused down-regulation of PI3K/Akt pathway, but not ERK. The PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY984002 sensitized the FLL-induced cell death and overexpression of Akt prevented the cell death. FLL induced caspase-3 activation and the FLL-induced cell death was prevented by caspase inhibitors. These findings indicate that FLL results in a caspase-dependent cell death through a P13K/Akt pathway in human glioma cells. These data suggest that FLL may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for malignant human gliomas.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.17-26
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• 2009

Objectives: Little information is available regarding the effect of Lycii cortex radicis (LCR) on cell viability in glioma cells. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the effect of LCR on cell survival in U87MG human glioma cells. Methods: Cell viability and cell death were estimated by MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion assay, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured using the fluorescence probe DCFH-DA. Activation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and activation of caspase-3 were estimated by Western blot analysis. Results: LCR resulted in apoptotic cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner. LCR increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and LCR-induced cell death was also prevented by antioxidants, suggesting that ROS generation played a critical role in LCR-induced cell death. Western blot analysis showed that LCR treatment caused down-regulation of Akt and ERK. The LCR-induced cell death was increased by the inhibitors of Akt and ERK. Activation of caspase-3 was stimulated by LCR and caspase inhibitors prevented the LCR-induced cell death. Conclusion: These findings suggest that LCR results in human glioma cell death through a mechanism involving ROS generation, down-regulation of Akt and ERK, and caspase activation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.174-185
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of five fractions on cell viability, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Methods : This study employed MTT assay, Cell cycle analysis, Cpp32 protease assay, DNA fragmentation assay and Quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Results : In MTT assay, the butanol fraction of Injinsaryung-San has showed magnificent viability, while the $H_2O$ fraction and ethylacetate fraction also showed higher viability than the control group. The $H_2O$ fraction of Injinsaryung-San has showed magnificent viability, and butanol fraction and ethylacetate fraction of Injinsaryung-San with etoposide have also showed higher viability than the only etoposide group. Cell cycle analysis showed that each fraction of Injinsaryung-San had no significant effect on the cell cycle. DNA fragmentation assay showed that the butanol fraction, $H_2O$ fraction and ethylacetate fraction carried inhibitory effects on apoptosis induction. Cpp32 protease activity assay showed that the butanol fraction, $H_2O$ fraction and ethylacetate fraction decreased Cpp32 protease activity, with the butanol fraction displaying greater effects. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that the butanol fraction, $H_2O$ fraction and ethylacetate fraction suppressed Fas and Bax genes, the butanol fraction increased BcI-2 gene, however no effect on Cpp32. Conclusions : The data shows that the butanol fraction of Injinsaryung-San increases the hepatocyte viability and has the heptocelluar protective effect by the suppression of apoptosis through gene regulation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2009

This study was undertaken to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ATP depletion-induced membrane transport dysfunction and cell death in renal proximal tubular cells. ATP depletion was induced by incubating cells with 2.5 mM potassium cyanide(KCN)/0.1 mM iodoacetic acid(IAA), and membrane transport function and cell viability were evaluated by measuring $Na^+$-dependent phosphate uptake and trypan blue exclusion, respectively. ATP depletion resulted in a decrease in $Na^+$-dependent phosphate uptake and cell viability in a time-dependent manner. ATP depletion inhibited $Na^+$-dependent phosphate uptake in cells, when treated with 2 mM ouabain, a $Na^+$ pump-specific inhibitor, suggesting that ATP depletion impairs membrane transport functional integrity. Alterations in $Na^+$-dependent phosphate uptake and cell viability induced by ATP depletion were prevented by the hydrogen peroxide scavenger such as catalase and the hydroxyl radical scavengers(dimethylthiourea and thiourea), and amino acids(glycine and alanine). ATP depletion caused arachidonic acid release and increased mRNA levels of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2(cPLA_2)$. The ATP depletion-dependent arachidonic acid release was inhibited by $cPLA_2$ specific inhibitor $AACOCF_3$. ATP depletion-induced alterations in $Na^+$-dependent phosphate uptake and cell viability were prevented by $AACOCF_3$. Inhibition of $Na^+$-dependent phosphate uptake by ATP depletion was prevented by antipain and leupetin, serine/cysteine protease inhibitors, whereas ATP depletion-induced cell death was not altered by these agents. These results indicate that ATP depletion-induced alterations in membrane transport function and cell viability are due to reactive oxygen species generation and $cPLA_2$ activation in renal proximal tubular cells. In addition, the present data suggest that serine/cysteine proteases play an important role in membrane transport dysfunction, but not cell death, induced by ATP depletion.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2010

Background : At high glucose levels in $\beta$-cells, cell viability and insulin secretion are decreased by glucotoxicity. Sopyung-tang(SPT) had an effect on blood glucose level decrease and antioxidant enzyme activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Objectives : This study performed a series of experiment to verify the effects of SPT extract on the cell viability, antioxidant enzyme activities, insulin secretion and insulin mRNA expression at hyperglycemic states of RIN-m5F. Methods : After treatment at various concentrations of SPT added to the RIN-m5F cells, cell viability by MTT assay, free radical-scavenging activity, SOD activity and insulin secretion were measured. Additionally, insulin-related gene expression was measured using real-time RT-PCR. Results : Compared to the control group, SPT extract showed considerable effects on RIN-m5F cell viability, DPPH radical-scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, insulin secretion and insulin-related gene expression. Conclusions : This study showed that SPT extract has an effect on $\beta$-cell cell viability, insulin secretion and insulin-related gene expression. Thus, SPT extract may be used for treatment of diabetes and its complications. Further mechanism studies of SPT seem to be necessary on the glucotoxicity and oxidative stress.