• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6481-6486
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• 2013

Background: Our previous study demonstrated cytotoxicity of a crude extract from Patrinia heterophylla Bunge (PHEB). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of isovaltrate acetoxyhydrin (IA) isolated from PHEB on the gastric cancer cell SGC-7901, in order to explore a potential treatment for gastric cancer. Methods: MTT assays were employed to determine the effects of IA on cell vitality and proliferation, with monitoring of cell morphology changes and examination of apoptosis with Annexin V-PI staining. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell cycle progression and mitochondrial membrane potential. The activity of caspase 3, 9 was evaluated by spectrophotometry, and the protein levels of Bax, Bcl2 and Cyclin B1 were analyzed with Western blotting of total proteins extracted from cultured cells. Results: The results demonstrated direct toxicity of IA towards SGC-7901 cells. Evidence of apoptosis included blebbing and chromatin condensation. Annexin V-PI assays revealed early apoptosis, involving rapid depolarization of mitochondrial membranes and activity of caspase 3, 9 signaling pathways. Western blotting showed that Bcl2 and Bax proteins was down- and up-regulated, respectively, and cyclin B1 was up-regulated. Cell cycle analysis further indicated that IA could induce G2/M phase arrest in SGC-7901 cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, we believe that IA induces apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells, therefore providing a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of gastric cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.2993-2999
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• 2014

Saccharina japonica is a family member of Phaeophyceae (brown macro-alga) and extensively cultivated in China, Japan and Korea. Here, the potential anti-cancer effect of n-hexane fraction of S. japonica was evaluated in SK-Hep1 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The N-hexane fraction reduced cell viability and increased the numbers of apoptotic cells in a both dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptosis was activated by both caspase-dependent and independent pathways. The caspase-dependent cell death pathway is mediated by cell surface death receptors and activated caspase-8 amplified the apoptotic signal either through direct activation of downstream caspase-3 or pro-apoptotic proteins (Bad, Bax and Bak) subsequently leading to the release of cytochrome c. On the other hand, caspase-independent apoptosis appeared mediated by disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and translocation of AIF to the nucleus where they induced chromatin condensation and/or large-scale DNA fragmentation. In addition, the n-hexane fraction induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress and cell cycle arrest. The results suggested that potential anti-cancer effects of n-hexane extract from S. japonica on SK-Hep1 cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5797-5804
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• 2013

In order to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin its conjugates with piperic acid and glycine were synthesized by esterifying the 4 and 4' phenolic hydroxyls, the sites of metabolic conjugation. Antiproliferative and apoptotic efficacy of synthesized conjugates was investigated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. $IC_{50}$ values of di-O-glycinoyl (CDG) and di-O-piperoyl (CDP) esters of curcumin were found to be comparable with that of curcumin. Both conjugates induced chromatin condensation fragmentation and apoptotic body formation. CDP exposure to MCF-7 cells induced apoptosis initiating loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) followed by inhibition of translocation of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ and release of Cytochrome-C. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated by fluorescent activated cell sorter. Change in ratio of Bcl2/Bclxl was observed, suggesting permeablization of mitochondrial membrane leading to the release of AIF, Smac and other apoptogenic molecules. DNA fragmentation as a hallmark for apoptosis was monitored by TUNEL as well as agrose gel electrophoresis. Thus, it was proven that conjugation does not affect the therapeutic potential of parent molecule in vitro, while these could work in vivo as prodrugs with enhanced pharmacokinetic profile. Pharmacokinetics of these molecules under in vivo conditions is a further scope of this study.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2151-2157
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• 2016

Scabraside D, a sulfated triterpene glycoside, was extracted from the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra. It shows anti-proliferation in many of cancer cell lines, but the function and mechanisms of action of scabraside D in human cholangiocarcinoma (HuCCA) have not previously determined. In this study, we investigated the activity of scabraside D on HuCCA cell apoptosis, lymphangiogenesis and metastasis in a nude mouse model. Scabraside D induced signs of apoptosis, such as cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, nuclear fragmentation and DNA fragmentation on TUNEL assays, while effectively decreasing expression of BCl-2 but increasing caspase-3 gene level expression. Immunohistochemistry revealed that scabraside D significantly reduced lymphatic vessel density (LVD). Moreover, scabraside D treatment significantly decreased VEGF-C, MMP-9 and uPA gene expression, which play important roles in the lymphangiogenesis and invasion of cancer cells in metastasis processes. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that scabraside D significantly decreased iNOS and STAT-3 gene expression. This study demonstrated that scabraside D plays a role in activation of HuCCA tumor apoptosis and inhibition of lymphangiogenesis, invasion and metastasis through decreasing BCl-2, MMP-9, uPA and VEGF-C and increasing caspase-3 expression by suppression of iNOS and STAT-3 expression. Therefore, scabraside D could be a promising candidate for cholangiocarcinoma treatment.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.128-132
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• 2002

The present study was performed to observe the role of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors (H-7, staurosporine) and daunorubicin in the cell death process of MCF7 cells; and examined whether or not the type of induced cell death was apoptosis. The usefulness of the combined therapy of PKC inhibitors and daunorubicin to improve the adverse effect of daunorubicin was also investigated. Cell death was induced by treatment with PKC inhibitors or daunorubicin. Characteristic morphologic features of cell shrinkage, chromatic condensation, and cytoplasmic vacuolization were observed. These treatments also stimulated the cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an early event in apoptosis. With slight differences in the percentage of apoptosis-induced cells, staurosporine, H-7 and daunorubicin effectively induced apoptosis in MCF7 cells. Furthermore, combined treatment of PKC inhibitors and daunorubicin significantly drove the cells into an apoptotic state. Hence, our results revealed the possible therapeutic value of combined therapy for the prevention of drug resistance and adverse side effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3519-3528
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• 2012

Inhibitory effects of Maclura amboinenesis Bl, one plant used traditionally for the treatment of cancers, on metastatic potential of highly metastatic B16F10 melanoma cells were investigated in vitro. Cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT colorimetric assay. Details of metastatic capabilities including invasion, migration and adhesion of B16F10 melanoma cells were examined by Boyden Chamber invasion and migration, scratch motility and cell attachment assays, respectively. The results demonstrated that n-hexane and chloroform extracts exhibited potent anti-proliferative effects (p<0.01), whereas the methanol and aqueous extracts had less pronounced effects after 24 h exposure. Bioactivity-guided chromatographic fractionation of both active n-hexane and chloroform extracts led to the isolation of two main prenylated xanthones and characterization as macluraxanthone and gerontoxanthone-I, respectively, their structures being identified by comparison with the spectral data. Interestingly, both exhibited potent effective effects. At non-toxic effective doses, n-hexane and chloroform extracts (10 and $30{\mu}g/ml$) as well as macluraxanthone and gerontoxanthone-I (3 and $10{\mu}M$) significantly inhibited B16F10 cell invasion, to a greater extent than $10{\mu}m$ doxorubicin, while reducing migration of cancer cells without cellular cytotoxicity. Moreover, exposure of B16F10 melanoma cells to high concentrations of chloroform ($30{\mu}g/ml$) and geratoxanthone-I ($20{\mu}M$) for 24 h resulted in delayed adhesion and retarded colonization. As insights into mechanisms of action, typical morphological changes of apoptotic cells e.g. membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, apoptotic bodies and loss of adhesion as well as cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase with increase of sub-G1 cell proportions, detected by Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry were observed, suggesting DNA damage and subsequent apoptotic cell death. Taken together, our findings indicate for the first time that active n-hexane and chloroform extracts as well as macluraxanthone and gerontoxanthone-I isolated from Maclura amboinensis Bl. roots affect multistep of cancer metastasis processes including proliferation, adhesion, invasion and migration, possibly through induction of apoptosis of highly metastatic B16F10 melanoma cells. Based on these data, M. amboinensis Bl. represents a potential candidate novel chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic agent. Additionally, they also support its ethno-medicinal usage for cancer prevention and/or chemotherapy.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2000

Astrocytes generate free radicals including nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen intermediates(ROI) which in turn play roles in the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases and sclerotic changes of the brain. This study was designed to evaluate the mechanism that free radicals contribute to the cytotoxicty of rat neonatal primary astrocytes. Treatment with NO donors alone including soldium nitroprusside(SNP), S-nitrosoglucathinoe (GSNO), and S-nitroso-n-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) showed a little effect on the death of rat neonatal primary astrocytes, whereas SNP markedly induced the death of RAW 264.7 cells. ROI inculding H2O2 and O2 donor also slightly induced the death of rat primary astrocytes. However, 3-morpholinosydnonimine(SIN-1), a donor of peroxynitrite (ONOO), which is a reactive compound of NO with superoxide, significantly decreased the viability of rat primary astrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Cells were retarded in outgrowth of viability of cellular processes with cell shrinkage and detachment from culture dishes. Hoechst staining demonstrated that SIN-1-induced cell death might be due to an apoptosis which was characterized by nuclear condensation and fragmentation. SIN-1-induced apoptosis was prevented by the pretreatment with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in rat primary astorocytes. Furthermore, prevention of the generation of reduced glutathione (GSH) by DL-buthionine-[S, R]-sulfoximine (BSO) aggravated the cytotoxic effects of SNP, benzene triol, and SIN-1 in rat primary astrocytes. Taken together, it is suggested that peroxynitrite may be a major effector of apoptosis and cellular antioxidant system is important for cell survival in rat prima교 astrocytes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2011

Mitosis count is one of the most helpful morphologic features for distinguishing pulmonary typical carcinoid (TC) from atypical carcinoid (AC). However, identifying areas of highest mitotic activity is tedious and time-consuming, and mitosis count may vary substantially among pathologists. Anti-phosphohistone H3 (PHH3) is an antibody that specifically detects histone H3 only when phosphorylated at serine 10 or serine 28, an event that is concurrent with mitotic chromatin condensation and not observed during apoptosis. In this study, immunohistochemical staining for PHH3 was performed to determine whether PHH3 was a reliable and objective mitosis-specific marker for pulmonary carcinoid tumors. Seventeen cases of surgically resected pulmonary carcinoid tumors (12 TCs and 5 ACs) were obtained and classified according to the 2004 World Health Organization classification. Mitotic counts determined by PHH3 correlated to ones determined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining; however, PHH3 mitotic counts (mean mitotic counts: 1 in TCs and 3.2 in ACs) were slightly higher than H&E mitotic counts (mean mitotic counts: 0.25 in TCs and 1.8 in ACs). The mitotic counts determined by experienced observer were more correlated to those determined by inexperienced observer with the PHH3-based method (R=0.968, P<0.001) rather than H&E staining (R=0.658, P<0.001). These results suggest that the PHH3 mitotic counting method was more sensitive and simple for detecting mitoses compared to traditional H&E staining. Therefore, PHH3 immunohistochemistry may contribute to more accurate and reproducible diagnosis of pulmonary carcinoid tumors and may be a valuable aid for administrating appropriate clinical treatment.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2018

It is considered that vermiculite as an inorganic material is highly effective when it is used as a building finishing material because it is eco-friendly. Vermiculite has excellent properties such as fire resistance, heat insulation, sound absorption as well as prevention of condensation, deodorization and aesthetics. In this study, we developed a finishing board with vermiculite as its main material and mixed with mineral loose wool (VB-L) or mineral powder (VB-P), and conducted fireproof test and insulation test. In addition, fire resistance tests were carried out by applying the two developed vermiculite boards as finishing materials for the standard wall details of light frame wood structures (KS F 1611-1). As a result of the fire resistance test, the VB-L specimen showed better fire resistance than the VB-P specimen. Both vermiculite boards showed sufficient fire resistance performance of 2 hours for a thickness of 30 mm.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2003

Platycodi Radix, the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, commonly known as Doraji, is used as a traditional oriental medicine. Extracts from the roots of P grandiflorum have been reported to have wide ranging health benefits. In the present study, we investigated the effects of an aqueous extract from the roots of P. grandiflorum (AEPG) on the growth of human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Upon treatment with AEPG, a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell growth was observed and cells developed many of the hallmark features of apoptosis, including condensation of chromatin. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that AEPG increased populations of apoptotic-sub Gl phase. Immunoblot and quantitative RT-PCR analyses indicated that the expressions of Bcl-2 was down-regulated but Bax was up-regulated in AEPG-treated A549 cells. The expression of active form of caspase-3 by AEPG treatment was markedly increased, and the levels of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and $\beta$-catenin, its target proteins, were decreased in a concentration dependent manner. Taken together, these findings suggest that P. grandiflorum has strong potential for development as an agent for prevention against human lung cancer.