• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.208-215
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• 2019

In this paper, we investigate to determine quality characteristics, fatty acid composition and cytotoxic effect of extracts and fractions from whole Lycopus lucidus Turcz. roots. Additionally, we evaluated cytotoxic activity against the growth of human fibrosarcoma cells (HT-1080) and human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS), human colon cancer cell (HT-29) lines using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Acetone+methylene chloride (A+M) and methanol (MeOH) extracts from L. lucidus Turcz. were obtained through solvent extraction. Then we further fractionated both extracts with n-hexane, 85% aq. MeOH, n-butanol (n-BuOH) and water. In fatty acid composition, L. lucidus Turcz. contained 33.2% of 18:1n-9 and 1.81% of 18:3n-3, respectively. The incorporation of treatment with A+M and MeOH extracts and n-hexane, 85% aq. MeOH, n-butanol (n-BuOH) and water fractions dose-dependently increased cytotoxicity against the growth of HT-1080 and AGS, HT-29 cancer cells (p<0.05). The A+M extract had a higher inhibitory effect on the growth of all cancer cells in comparison to MeOH extract. Among the fractions, the 85% aq. MeOH and n-hexane fractions showed a higher inhibitory effect after proliferating the three cancer cells. These results suggest that the 85% aq. MeOH and n-hexane fractions have a potential to inhibit the growth of human cancer cell lines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5291-5298
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• 2012

Beta-asarone is one of the main bioactive constituents in traditional Chinese medicine Acorus calamu. Previous studies have shown that it has antifungal and anthelmintic activities. However, little is known about its anticancer effects. This study aimed to determine inhibitory effects on LoVo colon cancer cell proliferation and to clarify the underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Dose-response and time-course anti-proliferation effects were examined by MTT assay. Our results demonstrated that LoVo cell viability showed dose- and time-dependence on ${\beta}$-asarone. We further assessed anti-proliferation effects as ${\beta}$-asarone-induced apoptosis by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assay usinga flow cytometer and observed characteristic nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation of apoptosis by microscopy. Moreover, we found the apoptosis to be induced through the mitochondrial/caspase pathway by decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reducing the Bcl-2-to-Bax ratio, in addition to activating the caspase-9 and caspase-3 cascades. Additionally, the apoptosis could be inhibited by a pan-caspase inhibitor, carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK). When nude mice bearing LoVo tumor xenografts were treated with ${\beta}$-asarone, tumor volumes were reduced and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays of excised tissue also demonstrated apoptotic changes. Taken together, these findings for the first time provide evidence that ${\beta}$-asarone can suppress the growth of colon cancer and the induced apoptosis is possibly mediated through mitochondria/caspase pathways.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.784-789
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• 2005

The inhibitory effects of hot water extracts of Rhus verniciflua Stokes pith and peel roasted at 170, 200 and $220^{\circ}C$ on lipid peroxidation, formation of DPPH free radicals and growth of four human cancer cells such as HepG2 (liver cancer), SNU-1 (stomach cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer) and Widr (colon cancer) were examined. The antioxidant activities and growth inhibitory effects on cancer cells of hot water extracts of peel were higher than those of pith, and the activities were dose-dependent. The roasting temperature showing the highest antioxidant activities and growth inhibitory effects on cancer cells was in the range of $170\~200^{\circ}C$ The lipid peroxidation and formation of DPPH free radicals of hot water extracts of roasted pith and peel were inhibited to 50.9, $56.5\%\;and\;79.0,\;78.4\%$ at the concentration of $500\mu g/mL$, respectively. The growth inhibitory effects of roasted pith and peel on cancer cells were in the order of Widr (41.5, $36.0\%$) > HepG2 (61.5, $44.0\%$) > MCF-7 (92.0, $69.2\%$)> SNU-1 (100, $100\%$) cells at the concentration of $1,000\mu g/mL$ as compared with the control, respectively. These results suggest that roasted Rhus verniciflua Stokes could be an useful natural medicinal plant for colon cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4549-4553
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the major causes of cancer death worldwide. Data from the literature indicate differences between the proliferation rate of endothelial cells relative to the morphology growth type, possibly due to origin of specimens (autopsy material, surgery fragments) or quantification methods. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a factor that stimulates the proliferation of endothelial cells. It is expressed in more than 90% of cases of metastatic CRC. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the endothelial cell proliferation and VEGF expression in primary tumors and corresponding liver metastases. Materials and Methods: Our study included 24 recent biopsies of primary tumors and corresponding liver metastases of CRC cases. CD34/Ki67 double immunostaining and RNA scope assay for VEGF were performed. Results: In the primary tumors analysis of VEGFmRNA expression indicated no significant correlation with differentiation grade, proliferative and non-proliferative vessels in the intratumoral and peritumoral areas. In contrast, in the corresponding liver metastases, VEGFmRNA expression significantly correlated with the total number of non-proliferative vessels and total number of vessels. CD34/Ki67 double immunostaining in the cases with poorly differentiated carcinoma indicated a high number of proliferating endothelial cells in the peritumoral area and a low number in the intratumoral area for the primary tumor. Moderately differentiated carcinomas of colon showed no proliferating endothelial cells in the intratumoral area in half of the cases included in the study, for both, primary tumor and liver metastasis. In well differentiated CRCs, in primary tumors, a high proliferation rate of endothelial cells in the intratumoral area and a lower proliferation rate in the peritumoral area were found. A low value was found in corresponding liver metastasis. Conclusions: The absence of proliferative endothelial cells in half of the cases for the primary tumors and liver metastases in moderately differentiated carcinoma suggest a vascular mimicry phenomenon. The mismatch between the total number of vessels and endothelial proliferation in primary tumors indicate that a functional vascular network is already formed or the existence of some mechanisms influenced by other angiogenic factors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.514-522
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• 2004

Background : Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are useful in chemoprevention of colorectal cancers. Continuous NSAID administation causes 40% to 50% reduction in relative risk for colorectal cancer. Sulindac possesses an antiproliferative effect and induces apoptosis and tumor regression on colon cancer and other types of cancers. We intended to analyze the effects of sulindac in three non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods : The human lung cancer cell lines, A549, NCI-H157 and NCI-H460 were used for this study. Viability was tested by MTT assay, and cell death rate was measured by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release. Apoptosis was estimated by flow cytometric analysis and nuclear staining. Results: Sulindac was able to decrease the viability of non-small cell lung cancer cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner. In a parallel effect of sulindac on cell death rate, LDH release was increased in sulindac-treated lung cancer cells. Sulindac significantly increased apoptosis characterized by an increase of $sub-G_0/G_1$ fraction and morphological change of nuclei. The rate of apoptotic cells after sulindac treatment in lung cancer cells increased in a time- and dose- dependent manner in flow cytometric analysis. Apoptotic cells were defined as nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation of cells. Conclusion : Sulindac decreases viability and induces the apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Further studies will be needed to elucidate the potential mechanism of sulindac-induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3975-3978
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• 2013

Background: Proteases play a regulatory role in a variety of pathologies including cancer, pancreatitis, thromboembolic disorders, viral infections and many others. One of the possible strategies to combat these pathologies seems to be the use of protease inhibitors. LC-pi I, II, III and IV (Lavatera cashmerian-protease inhibitors) have been found in vitro to strongly inhibit trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase, proteases contributing to tumour invasion and metastasis, indicated possible anticancer effects. The purpose of this study was to check in vitro anticancer activity of these four inhibitors on human lung cancer cell lines. Material and Methods: In order to assess whether these inhibitors induced in vitro cytoxicity, SRB assay was conducted with THP-1 (leukemia), NCIH322 (lung) and Colo205, HCT-116 (colon) lines. Results: LC-pi I significantly inhibited the cell proliferation of all cells tested and also LC-pi II was active in all except HCT-116. Inhibition of cell growth by LC-pi III and IV was negligible. $IC_{50}$ values of LC-pi I and II for NCIH322, were less compared to other cell lines suggesting that lung cancer cells are more inhibited. Conclusion: These investigations might point to future preventive as well as curative solutions using plant protease inhibitors for various cancers, especially in the lung, hence warranting their further investigation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.84-92
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• 2019

Purpose: The objective of this study was conducted to investigate the effects of rutin, buckwheat components on cell growth and anti-inflammation in adipocyte 3T3-L1 and human colon cancer cell SW-480. Methods: We cultured 3T3-L1 adipocyte and SW-480 colon cancer cell to confluence, at which time starvation was induced with SFM for 1 day. Cells were then cultured in medium containing 0, 25, 50, or $100{\mu}mol/mL$ of rutin 3T3-L1 or 0, 10, 20, or $40{\mu}mol/mL$ SW-480. Cell viability was measured using a cell viability kit. In addition, we examined the expression of mRNA related to inflammation. RT-PCR was used to quantity tumor necrosis factor ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA levels. Results: Rutin significantly inhibited 3T3-L1 and SW-480 cell proliferation in a dose and time dependent manner. Rutin also significantly reduced the mRNA expression of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ at the highest dose. In addition, rutin treatment caused a significant reduction in COX-2 and iNOS mRNA levels compared to the control group. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that rutin has the potential to reduce inflammation, and that these effects are greater during tissue-damaging inflammatory conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.177-181
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• 2001

Recently, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been found to be useful in the chemoprevention of colon cancer. To investigate whether indomethacin, an NSAIDs, induces apoptosis and thus assess the possibility of its application in the chemoprevention of human lung cancer, we have performed MTT assay, TUNEL assay, DAPI staining, and flow cytometric analysis using human lung carcinoma cell line NCI-H1299. Through morphological and biochemical analyses, it was demonstrated that NCI-H1299 cells treated with indomethacin (0.5 mM) exhibit classical apoptotic features. These results suggest that indomethacin induces apoptosis in NCI-H1299 cells and that NSAIDs, including indomethacin, may be a useful tool for the chemoprevention of human lung cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2014

Background: Ginsenoside Rp1 (G-Rp1) is a novel ginsenoside derived from ginsenoside Rk1. This compound was reported to have anticancer, anti-platelet, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we examined the molecular target of the antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities of G-Rp1. Methods: To examine the effects of G-Rp1, cell proliferation assays, propidium iodine staining, proteomic analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting analysis, and a knockdown strategy were used. Results: G-Rp1 dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation of colorectal cancer LoVo cells and increased their apoptosis. G-Rp1 markedly upregulated the protein level of apolipoprotein (Apo)-A1 in LoVo, SNU-407, DLD-1, SNU-638, AGS, KPL-4, and SK-BR-3 cells. The knockdown of Apo-A1 by its small-interfering RNA increased the levels of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and p53 and diminished the proliferation of LoVo cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that G-Rp1 may act as an anticancer agent by strongly inhibiting cell proliferation and enhancing apoptosis through upregulation of Apo-A1.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.993-1001
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• 2016

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients are at increased risk of many forms of malignancies, especially of the pancreas, colon and hepatocellular cancer. Unfortunately, little is known of the possible interaction between antidiabetic drugs and anticancer agents. The present study investigates the influence of metformin (MET) and sitagliptin (SITA) on the in vitro anticancer activity of the microtubule depolymerization inhibitor agent epothilone A (EpoA). Hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) viability and apoptosis were determined by the MTT test and by double staining with PO-PRO-1 and 7-aminoactinomycin D, respectively, after treatment with EpoA, metformin or sitagliptin. The levels of nuclear factor NF-${\kappa}B$ and p53 were evaluated in the presence and absence of inhibitors. While EpoA and MET inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation, SITA did not. EpoA and SITA induced higher p53 levels than MET. All tested drugs increased the level of NF-${\kappa}B$. Only MET enhanced the proapoptotic effect of EpoA. The EpoA+MET combination evoked the highest cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cells and led to apoptosis independent of p53, decreasing the level of NF-${\kappa}B$. These findings support the link between NF-${\kappa}B$ and p53 in the modulation of apoptotic effects in HepG2 cells treated by EpoA. Our studies indicate that the combination of EpoA and MET applied in subtoxic doses has a stronger cytotoxic effect on liver cancer cells than each of the compounds alone. The therapeutic advantages of the combination of EpoA with MET may be valuable in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) and liver cancer.