• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.405-412
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• 2020

Background: Root rot is a serious destructive disease of Panax notoginseng, a famous cultivated araliaceous herb called Sanqi or Tianqi in Southwest China. Methods: The chemical substances of Sanqi rot roots were explored by chromatographic techniques. MS, 1D/2D-NMR, and single crystal X-ray diffraction were applied to determine the structures. Murine macrophage RAW264.7 and five human cancer cell lines were used separately for evaluating the antiinflammatory and cytotoxic activities. Results and Conclusion: Thirty dammarane-type triterpenes and saponins were isolated from the rot roots of P. notoginseng. Among them, seven triterpenes, namely, 20(S)-dammar-25-ene-24(S)-hydroperoxyl-3β,6α,12β,20-tetrol (1), 20(S)-dammar-3-oxo-23-ene-25-hydroperoxyl-6α,12β,20-triol (2), 20(S)-dammar-12-oxo-23-ene-25-hydroperoxyl-3β,6α,20-triol (3), 20(S)-dammar-3-oxo-23-ene-25-hydroperoxyl-12β,20-diol (4), 20(S),24(R)-epoxy-3,4-seco-dammar-25-hydroxy-12-one-3-oic acid (5), 20(S),24(R)-epoxy-3,4-seco-dammar-25-hydroxy-12-one-3-oic acid methyl ester (6), and 6α-hydroxy-22,23,24,25,26,27-hexanordammar-3,12,20-trione (7), are new compounds. In addition, 12 known ones (12-16 and 19-25) were reported in Sanqi for the first time. The new Compound 1 showed comparable antiinflammatory activity on inhibition of NO production to the positive control, whereas the known compounds 9, 12, 13, and 16 displayed moderate cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines. The results will provide scientific basis for understanding the chemical constituents of Sanqi rot roots and new candidates for searching antiinflammatory and antitumor agents.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.432-436
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• 2007

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare tumor that is difficult to clearly distinguish from an adenocarcinoma but usually has a poor prognosis. Numerous cytotoxic agents have been used in the primary treatment of MPM with limited success. A complete response is unusual and a partial response occurs in less than one-third of patients. Recently, a phase III trial showed that a combination of pemetrexed with cisplatin resulted in a significantly higher response rate and median survival time than with cisplatin alone. We encountered a case of a dramatic tumor response to pemetrexed/cisplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with MPM, which was resistant to the 1st-line gemcitabine/cisplatin therapy. After six cycles of pemetrexed/cisplatin combination chemotherapy, the tumor volume had decreased dramatically with complete symptom relief. There was no chemotherapy-related toxicity or scheduled violation. The patient is under maintenance chemotherapy with the same regimen.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.905-909
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• 2002

This study was peformed to determine the anticarcinogenic activity of the Solanum tuberosum Peel (SP) on several microorganisms and human cancer cell lines. Among the various solvent fractions of SP, the ethylether Partition layer (SPMEE) showed the strongest antimicrobial activity, ethylacetate partition layer (SPMEA) and butanol partition layer (SPMB) resulted in good antimicrobial activity. We also determined the effect of SP extract and fractions on cytotoxicity, and chemopreventive effect on human cancer cells. The experiment was conducted to determine cytotoxicity of SP partition layers on HepG2, HeLa and MCF-7 cells by MTT assay. Among the various partition layers of SP, SPMEE and SPW were showed the strongest cytotoxic effects on all cancer cell lines. The quinone reductase induced activities of HepG2 cell, the butanol partition layer (SPMB) at a does of 40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL was 8.49 times more effective compared to the control value of 1.0. This value was significantly higher than that of previous results using the other materials. Therefore, based on these studies, SP may be developed into a potentially useful antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic agents.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2008

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective death of motor neurons. Mutations in the SOD1 gene are responsible for a familial form of ALS (FALS). Although many studies suggest that mutant SOD1 proteins are cytotoxic, the mechanism is not fully understood. To investigate the role of mutant SOD1 in FALS, human SOD1 genes were fused with a PEP-1 peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce in-frame PEP-1-SOD fusion proteins (wild type and mutants). The expressed and purified PEP-1-SOD fusion proteins were efficiently transduced into neuronal cells. Neurones harboring the A4V, G93A, G85R, and D90A mutants of PEP-1-SOD were more vulnerable to oxidative stress induced by paraquat than those harboring wild-type proteins. Moreover, neurones harboring the mutant SOD proteins had lower heat shock protein (Hsp) expression levels than those harboring wild-type SOD. The effects of the transduced SOD1 fusion proteins may provide an explanation for the association of SOD1 with FALS, and Hsps could be candidate agents for the treatment of ALS.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-55
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• 1993

cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) (cis-Platin), a metallic compound, has widely been used as an effective anticancer chemotherapeutic agent. The precise mechanism of action of this agent is still unknown, but it is postulated that cis-Platin may act on the cancer cell like bifunctional alkylating agents. Although this agent is very beneficial to the patients with cervical cancer, germinoma of testis, neuroblastoma and others, it may also damage to the normal cell so that many side effects; severe hemorrhagic enterocolitis, bone marrow depression, renal damage and liver damage will develope. This experiment has been undertaken to pursue the cytotoxic effects of the cis-Platin on the ultrastructures of the interalveolar septum in the mouse lung. A total of 55 healthy male mice of ICR strain were used as experimental animals and divided into 5 mice of normal control group and 50 mice of cis-Platin treated group. The mice of cis-Platin treated group were sacrificed by carotid exsanguination at 6, 12, 24 hours, 3 days and 7 days after intraperitoneal injection of 6.0 mg of cis-Platin ($Abiplatin^R$ Abic Co. Ltd.) per kg of mouse body weight. The specimen obtained from the lower lobe of left lung were sliced into $1mm^3$ and prefixed with 2% glutaraldehyde -2.5% paraformaldehyde solution prepared with Millonig's phosphatae buffer solution (pH 7.4) at $4^{\circ}C$ for 3-4 hours. After postfixation with 1% osmium tetroxide solution all specimens were embedded in Epon 812. Ultrathin sections about $600-800{\AA}$ in thickness were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and observed with Hitachi-600 electron microscope. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Local swellings with increase of electron density and number of pinocytic vesicles in the cytoplasms of the type I pneumocyte and endothelial cell of the blood air barrier in interalveolar septum of cis-platin treated mice were observed. 2. Cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum were dilated and sacculated in association with detachment of membrane bound ribosomes of the type II pneumocyte in interalveolar septum of cis-Platin treated mice. 3. Swollon mitochondria with uneven electron density of their matrix were observed in the type II pneumocyte of interalveolar septum in the cis-Platin treated mice. 4. The lamellae of lammelar bodies in type II pneumocyte of interalveolar septum in cis-Platin treated mice were devoided or transformed into homogeneous electron dense material. It is consequently suggested that cis-Platin would induce the cellular edema of type I pneumocyte and endothelial cell, and degenerative changes of cytoplasmic organelles of the type II pneumocyte in the interalveolar septum of the mouse lung.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2016

In this system, rice cells were genetically modified to express human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin (hCTLA4Ig) using RAmy3D promoter induced by sugar depletion. Even though the target protein fused with signal sequence peptide, plant cell wall can be a barrier against secretion of recombinant proteins. Therefore, hCTLA4Ig can be trapped inside cell wall or remained in intracellular space. In this study, to enhance the secretion of hCTLA4Ig from cytoplasm and cell walls into the medium, permeabilizing agents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Triton X-100 and Tween 20, were applied in transgenic rice cell cultures. When 0.5% (v/v) of DMSO was added in sugar-free medium, intracellullar hCTLA4Ig was increased, on the other hand, the secreted extracellular hCTLA4Ig was lower than that of control. DMSO did not give permeable effects on transgenic rice cell cultures. And Triton X-100 was toxic to rice cells and also did not give enhancing permeability of cells. When 0.05% (v/v) Tween 20 was added in rice cell cultures, however, intracellular hCTLA4Ig was lower than that of control cultures. And the maximum 44.76 mg/L hCTLA4Ig was produced for 10 days after induction, which was 1.4-fold increase compared to that of control cultures. Especially, Tween 20 at 0.05% (v/v) showed the positive effect on the secretion of hCTLA4Ig though the decrease of intracellular hCTLA4Ig. Also, Tween 20 as a non-toxic surfactant did not affect the cell growth, cell viability and protease activity. In conclusion, secretion of hCTLA4Ig could be increased by enhancing permeability of cells regardless of the cell growth, cell viability and protease activity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.547-553
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• 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common brain malignancies and has a very poor prognosis. Recent evidence suggests that the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) in GBM and the rare CSC subpopulation that is resistant to chemotherapy may be responsible for the treatment failure and unfavorable prognosis of GBM. A garlic-derived compound, Z-ajoene, has shown a range of biological activities, including anti-proliferative effects on several cancers. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that Z-ajoene specifically inhibits the growth of the GBM CSC population. CSC sphere-forming inhibition was achieved at a concentration that did not exhibit a cytotoxic effect in regular cell culture conditions. The specificity of this inhibitory effect on the CSC population was confirmed by detecting CSC cell surface marker CD133 expression and biochemical marker ALDH activity. In addition, stem cell-related mRNA profiling and real-time PCR revealed the differential expression of CSC-specific genes, including Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog, upon treatment with Z-ajoene. A proteomic approach, i.e., reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) and Western blot analysis, showed decreased SMAD4, p-AKT, 14.3.3 and FOXO3A expression. The protein interaction map (http://string-db.org/) of the identified molecules suggested that the AKT, ERK/p38 and $TGF{\beta}$ signaling pathways are key mediators of Z-ajoene's action, which affects the transcriptional network that includes FOXO3A. These biological and bioinformatic analyses collectively demonstrate that Z-ajoene is a potential candidate for the treatment of GBM by specifically targeting GBM CSCs. We also show how this systemic approach strengthens the identification of new therapeutic agents that target CSCs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1257-1262
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• 2008

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment utilizing the generation of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species (ROS), which selectively accumulated in target cells. Genistein, soy-derived phytoestrogen, is one of the anticancer agents found in soybean. In the current study, we investigated the effect of photofrin-induced PDT and genistein on apoptotic cell death in head and neck cell line (AMC-HN3) to confirm the photodynamic therapy of genistein. It was determined by MTT assay that the combination group had more cytotoxicity effect than PDT group alone. Combination of photofrin PDT and genistein induced apoptosis more when comparing with PDT alone. Our data also showed that ROS was increased in combination therapy, indicating apoptosis by mitochondrial damage. These results indicated that the combination of photofrin PDT and genistein showed more cytotoxic effect and induced apoptosis in head and neck cancer cell line.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3335-3340
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• 2016

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a precancerous condition with a 4 to13% malignant transformation rate. Related to the habit of areca nut chewing it is mainly prevalent in South-east Asian countries where the habit of betel quid chewing is frequently practised. On chewing, alkaloids and polyphenols are released which undergo nitrosation and give rise to N-nitrosamines which are cytotoxic agents. CYP450 is a microsomal enzyme group which metabolizes various endogenous and exogenous chemicals including those released by areca nut chewing. CYP1A1 plays a central role in metabolic activation of these xenobiotics, whereas CYP2E1 metabolizes nitrosamines and tannins. Polymorphisms in genes that code for these enzymes may alter their expression or function and may therefore affect an individuals susceptibility regarding OSF and oral cancer. The present study was therefore undertaken to investigate the association of polymorphisms in CYP1A1 m2 and CYP2E1 (RsaI/PstI) sites with risk of OSF among areca nut chewers in the Northern India population. A total of 95 histopathologically confirmed cases of OSF with history of areca nut chewing not less than 1 year and 80, age and sex matched controls without any clinical signs and symptoms of OSF with areca nut chewing habit not less than 1 year were enrolled. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples and polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP method. Gene polymorphism of CYP1A1 at NcoI site was observed to be significantly higher (p = 0.016) in cases of OSF when compared to controls. Association of CYP1A1 gene polymorphism at NcoI site and the risk of OSF (Odd's Ratio = 2.275) was also observed to be significant. However, no such association was observed for the CYP2E1 gene polymorphism (Odd's Ratio = 0.815). Our results suggest that the CYP1A1 gene polymorphism at the NcoI site confers an increased risk for OSF.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1316-1324
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• 2014

Most beta-glucans obtained from various fruit bodies of mushrooms and mushroom mycelial cultures have high-molecular weight glycoproteins, conjugated with beta-glucans. We report that isoflavone-conjugated glycolproteins (designated as gluvone) were isolated and exhibited stronger anticarcinogenic activities. Agaricus blazei mycelia (ABM) was cultured in a liquid medium containing soybean flakes for 14 days. The liquid culture was autolyzed by incubating at $53^{\circ}C$ (pH 5.5) for 3 h. A crude glycoprotein (CGP) fraction with a cytotoxic effect on a mouse ascite cancer cell line (S-180) and a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was isolated from the autolyzed ABM cultures by 80% ethanol treatment. Gluvone was isolated from the CGP with Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. It exhibited a stronger anticancer effect than CGP against the S-180 cell-induced female ICR mouse ascites carcinogenesis. Gluvone with 9,400 daltons was identified as a glycoprotein conjugated with isoflavone. According to HPLC and GC analysis, in conjunction with $^1H$-NMR spectral analysis, it contained 60% carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, and ribose), 31% protein, and 2% isoflavone (daidzein and genistein), which is a novel material. These results indicate that a strong anticarcinogenic gluvone was isolated from the autolyzed product of a submerged liquid culture of ABM, suggesting that autolysis could be a useful tool to produce antitumor agents.